Stomias affinis

Stomias affinis, Allied Scaly Dragonfish. Source: FAO 2020.
Stomias affinis, Allied Scaly Dragonfish. Source: FAO 2020.
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
StomiidaeStomias affinisGunther1887Allied Scaly Dragonfish

Family Stomiidae (genera Stomias and Trigonlamoa) – Dorsal fin located just anterior to caudal fin, directly above anal fin. Body covered with scale-like hexagonal pigment pattern (FAO 2002).

Stomiidae, Scaly Dragonfishes. Source: FAO 2002).
Stomiidae, Scaly Dragonfishes. Source: FAO 2002).

All Stomias Species: Body with scales or with hexagonal scale pockets. Dorsal and anal fins located near caudal fin (FAO 2020).

Stomias affinis

Unique Characteristics: Less than 100 IC photophores; body length 10-20 times its depth; chin barbel shorter or slightly longer than head. Two teeth on the end of each palatine bone. Rows of hexagonal areas dorsal to lateral series of photophores 6; barbel length (without terminal filaments) usually about equal to head length, rarely less than 67% head length; premaxillary teeth 8 or fewer; pectoral-fin rays 6. VAV photophores 5-8 (rarely 9); VAL 4-8. Black to dark brown, sides iridescent, fins pale; barbel pale, bulb yellowish, filaments pale. (FAO 2020).

Similar Species:

Stomias boa, Boa Dragonfish

Stomias boa, Boa Dragonfish. Source: FAO 2020.
Stomias boa, Boa Dragonfish. Source: FAO 2020.

Boa Dragonfish, Stomias boa. Less than 100 IC photophores; body length 10-20 times its depth; chin barbel shorter or slightly longer than head. Two teeth on the end of each palatine bone. Rows of hexagonal areas dorsal to lateral series of photophores 6; barbel length (without terminal filaments) usually about equal to head length, rarely less than 67% head length; premaxillary teeth 8 or fewer; pectoral-fin rays 6. VAV photophores 10-14 (rarely 9); VAL 10-15 (FAO 2020).

References:

FAO. 2002. The living marine resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Volumes 1-3. K.E. Carpenter (ed.). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. 4099 pp. http://www.fao.org/3/y4160e/y4160e00.htm.

(FAO 2020) Sutton, T.T., P.A. Hulley, R. Wienerroither, D. Zaera-Perez, and J.R. Paxton. 2020. Identification guide to the mesopelagic fishes of the central and south east Atlantic Ocean. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. Rome, FAO. 327 pp. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb0365en.