Species: Macroramphosus scolopax, Longspine Snipefish

Macroramphosus scolopax (Linnaeus, 1758)

Longspine Snipefish

Body very compressed, oval, relatively deep (depth at pelvic origin 21.7-27% of SL), lower body profile convex; head compressed; eyes large; crest at lower front edge of eye with 2-3 rows of spinules; mouth small, at front of a long tubular snout; no teeth on jaws; no gill rakers; pectoral fin with oblique base, slightly below midline; 1st dorsal fin V-VIII, second spine greatly elongated, with serrated rear edge, reaches to tail fin; 1st dorsal origin over anus; distance between bases of 2 dorsal fins < eye; 2nd dorsal fin and anal fin just before tail base; pelvics on abdomen; anal fin below 2nd dorsal; tail fin concave to convex; bony plates along flank above pectoral and sometimes along centerline of belly; body covered with small scales that have sharp ridges and spines; well developed protruding bony scutes on lower body profile between pelvics and anal fin.

Adults reddish above, silvery below; juveniles silvery, back bluish-black.

Reaches 23 cm.

Juveniles to 11.5 cm pelagic; adults close to the bottom.

Depth range: 25-600 m.

Probably worldwide in tropical to temperate areas; Maine to Argentina.