Animalia Life

Stephanoberyx monae
FAMILY
Stephanoberycidae
TAXONOMY
Stephanoberyx monae Gill, 1883, Western North Atlantic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Length 3.9 in (10 cm). Head region proportionally large with many ridges; round eyes; mouth large extending posteriorly beyond level of eyes; single dorsal fin located posteriorly, with 1–3 poorly developed spines and 11–13 rays; anal fin terminating at level of dorsal fin, with 1–3 spines and 11–12 rays; pectoral fins with 12–13 rays; pelvic fins rudimentary and abdominal, with 5 rays; caudal fin with supports over and under caudal peduncle, with 8–11 spines on upper and lower aspects; body covered in scales that have small spines; coloration dark brown.
DISTRIBUTION
Western North Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.
HABITAT
Presumably bathypelagic or demersal in relatively deep waters 1,115–15,673 ft (340–4,777 m).
BEHAVIOR
Nothing known.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Unknown, but its large gape suggests it may feed on fishes and invertebrates.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Essentially unknown; two specimens measuring 3 in (8 cm) were sexually mature.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

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