Blackfin spiderfish

Bathypterois phenax

Long fins support standing

Black
Deep sea
Regional distribution
Marine fish
Atlantic Ocean
Africa
Central America and the Caribbean
North America
South America
Elongated
Medium

Bathypterois is a genus of deepsea tripod fishes. They are a diverse genus that belong to the greater family Ipnopidae and order Aulopiformes. They are distinguished by having two elongated pelvic fins and an elongated caudal fin, which allow them to move and stand on the ocean floor, much like a tripod, hence the common name.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Lizardfishes and Allies
Family: Ipnopidae
Genus: Bathypterois
Maximum length: 18 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: Off Sierra Leone and Liberia and off South Africa (as Bathypterois ater ). Western Atlantic: at bathyal depths between latitude 40°N-5°N including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, and off southern Brazil.
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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