Melanostigma atlanticum

Melanostigma atlanticum, Atlantic Soft Pout. Source: FAO 2016.
Melanostigma atlanticum, Atlantic Soft Pout. Source: FAO 2016.
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
ZoarcidaeMelanostigma atlanticumKoefoed1952Atlantic Soft Pout

Melanostigma atlanticum

Unique Characters: Adults attaining 12 cm. Snout short and blunt. Gill opening a small pore above pectoral fin. Pectoral fin rays 6-8. Lateral line of superficial neuromasts absent (FAO 2016). Head and abdomen silvery blue; remainder of body tannish to creamy and translucent; area around mouth blackish. Snout rounded. Anal fin taller than dorsal fin. Pelvic fins absent. Body soft, scaleless (Kells and Carpenter 2011).

Similar Species: None

Reference:

(FAO 2016) Carpenter, K.E. and N. DeAngelis. eds. 2016. The living marine resources of the Eastern Central Atlantic. Volume 4: Bony fishes part 2 (Perciformes to Tetradontiformes) and sea turtles. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes, Rome, FAO. pp. 2343–3124.