Faceless cusk

The faceless cusk (Typhlonus nasus) is a species of cusk-eel found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans at depths from 3,935 to 5,100 m (12,910 to 16,732 ft).[3] This species grows to 28.5 cm (11.2 in) in standard length, and is the only known member of its genus.

Faceless cusk[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Ophidiiformes
Family: Ophidiidae
Subfamily: Neobythitinae
Genus: Typhlonus
Species:
T. nasus
Binomial name
Typhlonus nasus

The fish is named after its appearance due to having an extremely reduced "face". The mouth is located on the underside of the head. The sides of the head do not display any visible eyes. However, Typhlonus nasus does possess eyes, which can be seen deep beneath the skin in small-sized specimens.[4] It also possess two pairs of large nostrils towards the front of the head above the mouth.[5] The species has discernible gill covers on each side of the head and large deciduous scales.[5] It also has reduced dorsal and anal fins which are dark in colors and are fused at the end, as a replacement for a lacking caudal fin. The fins of this fish are black in color, with a very pale body.


References
  1. Bray, D. J. (2017). "Typhlonus nasus". Fishes of Australia. Retrieved 1 Jun 2017.
  2. Nielsen, Jørgen G.; Cohen, Daniel M.; Markle, Douglas F.; Robins, C. Richard (1999). Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes) An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date (PDF). FAO species catalogue. 18. Food and Agriculture Organization.
  3. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2012). "Typhlonus nasus" in FishBase. June 2012 version.
  4. Deamer, Kacey (14 June 2017). "Long-Lost Faceless Fish Shows Up Near Australia". www.LiveScience.com. Purch. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  5. "The Faceless Cusk". Oz Fish Net. Museums of Victoria. Retrieved 11 June 2018.


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