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Icosteus aenigmaticus Lockington, 1880
Ragfish
Family: Icosteidae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

© Aaron Baldwin     (Photo ID #50418)

Map

Source: Distribution of Icosteus aenigmaticus as compiled by Aquamaps

Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 52 - 55; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 34 - 40. Pectorals rounded, pedunculate (Ref. 6885). Generally of a chocolate color (Ref. 6885). Young more robust, with an expanded and rounded caudal fin, 5 pelvic rays, and a brown and yellow irregularly blotched with faint purple color, dusky on fins (Ref. 6885).

Source: FishBase. FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Biology

Species Biology

Adults occur near bottom; juveniles in shallow water or offshore near the surface (Ref. 50277). Feeds on jellyfish (Ref. 50277), fishes and squids (Ref. 2850), as well as octopuses (Ref. 4525). Environment: bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 1420 m (Ref. 50550), usually 18 - 732 m (Ref. 2850) Climate: deep-water; 66°N - 32°N

Source: FishBase. FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Distribution

Distribution

North Pacific: Japan to southeastern Alaska and to Point Loma, southern California, USA.

Source: FishBase. FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

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