Latin name

Pogonophryne neyelovi

Other name

Pogonophryne neyelovi

Identification

The species name Hopbeard plunderfish refers to the peculiar structure of the fish's chin tendril, the tip of which ends in a conical, scaly extension resembling a hop cone.

It belongs to the species group "P. mentella". It is distinguished from other species in the group by the following set of characters. The chin tendril is short (9% of standard fish length), reaching the anterior edge of the orbit when bent backwards over the snout (with the mouth closed).  The terminal extension is short, less than a third of the antennal length (20-31% of the antennal length), ovaloid or conical in shape, and consists of transversely broad and flat scales overlapping each other. The lower jaw protrudes slightly forward: when the mouth is closed, only the outer row of teeth at its tip is visible. There are 25-26 pores (tubular bony segments or scales) on the dorsal (upper) lateral line and 14-15 pores on the medial (middle) lateral line; in the lower part of the first gill arch the stamens are arranged in 2 rows, the total number of stamens on the lower and upper part of the arch is 19, of which (1-2)+0+9=10-11 stamens in the outer row and 0+1+(7-8)=8-9 in the inner row; the stamens of the inner row of the lower part of the arch are covered with small bony denticles.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal fin very tall (about 25% of standard length in males); anterior fin blade not prominent in males; largest rays (1 to 7) very soft and sinuous, with a primary bifurcation at about mid-length. 

First dorsal fin with 2 short, soft, barbed rays; second dorsal fin with 27 rays; anal fin with 17-18 rays; pectoral fin with 20-21 rays.

Fish colouring

Top of head and anterior part of dorsum anterior to first dorsal fin mainly covered with irregular and worm-like dark brown spots; underside of head, thorax and abdomen without distinct spots. The lower respiratory membrane is pale. Pectoral fins with dark vertical stripes on anterior part and pale on posterior part. Fin colouration in males close to spawning is almost black, in the anterior third of the fin - with bluish areas on the fin fold along the rays. The antenna has a brownish colouration of the dorsal side of the peduncle and a lighter coloured terminal spur. 

Distribution

The known range of the species is the deep waters of the Ross Sea. 

Habitat

Deep-sea bathypelagic species, habitat depth range 700-1390 m. Known from three catches at depths of 1337, 1350 and 700-1390 m.

Size

It is one of the largest species in the genus Pogonophryne - males reach 355 mm in total length and 295 mm in standard length, females 350 mm in total length and 294 mm in standard length.

Behavior

A sedentary bottom dwelling fish.

Food and feeding habits

An omnivorous predator that feeds on both living organisms and carrion. All three known specimens were caught on hooks baited with relatively large pieces (4×3×2 cm) of Peruvian giant squid (Dosidicus gigas).

Reproduction

Sexual maturity is likely to occur when the total length exceeds 305 mm (standard length 253 mm). A larger male (holotype, 355 mm total length and 295 mm standard length) caught on 18 January 2010 had gonads in the post-mature stage (VI-II). Spawning appears to occur in summer (southern hemisphere) between December and January.

Fishing

Hopbeard plunderfish may occasionally be caught as by-catch in the Antarctic toothfish bottom longline fishery in the Ross Sea and possibly other Antarctic marginal seas.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.