Antipodocottus megalops

Taxobox
name = "Antipodocottus megalops"


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Scorpaeniformes
familia = Cottidae
genus = Antipodocottus
species = "A. megalops"
binomial = "Antipodocottus megalops"
binomial_authority = DeWitt, 1969

"Antipodocottus megalops" is a sculpin of the family Cottidae, found on the continental shelf around New Zealand, at depths of between 400 and 600 m. Its length is up to 5 cm

"Antipodocottus megalops" has a broad flat head, contrasting with a narrow tapering body. Along the edge of each preoperculum are four strong spines, the uppermost of which is long and projecting with four sharp barbs along its length. Very large eyes on top of the head can look upward and sideways, a necessary feature for a fish that spends much of its time resting on the bottom.

References

*
* Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, "Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand", (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8