Brainbeard plunderfish (Pogonophryne cerebropogon)

Latin name

Pogonophryne cerebropogon

Other name

Pogonophryne cerebropogon

Identification

Pogonophryne - Greek, pogon = beard + phrynos = toad

Brainbeard plunderfish have a chin tendril. They have a very large head, no scales on the body (except for the lateral lines), and gill covers with a large flattened spike bent upward and forward. The front of the body is somewhat compressed dorsoventrally, and when viewed from above and below the body has a characteristic bulbous shape similar to that of an amphibian tadpole.

Features of fish fins

These fish have 2 dorsal fins, the first containing 2-7 spines and the second containing 22-30 segmented soft rays, while the anal fin has 14-21 soft rays. They have large pectoral fins with 14-21 rays, while the pelvic fins are located at the jugular and contain a long spine and 5 soft rays. The caudal fin has 8-11 rays.

Fish colouring

The body colour of this species is gray.

Distribution

Endemic to the bathyal waters of the high-latitude zone of the Southern Ocean. Widespread in the Ross Sea.

Habitat

A deep-sea marine species with a habitat depth range of ?-300m.

Size

The maximum length of this species is 25.0 cm.

Behavior

Brainbeard plunderfish lead a slow and sedentary lifestyle, usually lying motionless on the bottom for long periods of time waiting for prey to approach.

Food and feeding habits

Predators that feed on both living organisms and carrion.

Reproduction

No data are available on the breeding biology of this species.

Fishing

This species is of no interest to fisheries.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.