Chaunax pictus

Chaunax pictus and Chaunax stigmaeus, Uniform Gaper and Redye Gaper. Source: Caruso (1989).
Chaunax pictus, Uniform Gaper, and Chaunax stigmaeus, Redye Gaper.
Source: Caruso (1989).
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
ChaunacidaeChaunax pictusLowe1846Uniform Gaper

Chaunax pictus

Unique Charcterisitcs: Illicial cavity dark brown or black and strongly concave. Anterodorsal surface of esca black, posteroventral surface translucent or white. Color in preservative pale tan (except specimens < 50 mm Standard length). Illicium without dark ring.

Similar Species:

Redeye Gaper, Chaunax stigmaeus

Chaunax pictus and Chaunax stigmaeus, Uniform Gaper and Redye Gaper. Source: Caruso (1989).
Chaunax pictus, Uniform Gaper, and Chaunax stigmaeus, Redye Gaper.
Source: Caruso (1989).

Redeye Gaper, Chaunax stigmaeus. Illicial cavity dark brown or black and strongly concave. Anterodorsal surface of esca black, posteroventral surface translucent or white. Color in preservative pale tan with pattern of darker tan spota of varying size. Illicium with dark ring below esca.

Pale-cavity Gaper, Chaunax suttkusi.

Chaunax suttkusi, Pale Cavity Gaper. Source: Caruso (1989).
Chaunax suttkusi, Pale Cavity Gaper.
Source: Caruso (1989).

Pale-cavity Gaper, Chaunax suttkusi. Illicial cavity pale and flat or very slightly concave. Esca not black with posteroventral surface translucent or white. Esca pale or dusky with pigmentation of anterodorsal and posteroventral surface not distinctly different.

Reference:

Caruso, J.H. 1989. Systematics and distribution of the Atlantic chaunacid anglerfishes (Pisces: Lophiiformes). Copeia 1989(1):153-165.