The pale toadfish (''Ambophthalmos angustus'', previously classified as ''Neophrynichthys angustus''
[Keith L. Jackson and Joseph S. Nelson, ''Ambophthalmos'', a new genus for "''Neophrynichthys''" ''angustus'' and "''Neophrynichthys''" ''magnicirrus'', and the systematic interrelationships of the fathead sculpins (Cottoidei, Psychrolutidae), ''Can. J. Zool.'' 76(7): 1344–1357 (1998), .]) is a
fathead sculpin
The fish family Psychrolutidae (commonly known as blobfishes, toadfishes, flathead sculpins, tadpole sculpins,) contains over 35 recognized species in 8 genera. This family consists of bottom-dwelling marine sculpins shaped like tadpoles, with la ...
of the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Psychrolutidae
The fish family Psychrolutidae (commonly known as blobfishes, toadfishes, flathead sculpins, tadpole sculpins,) contains over 35 recognized species in 8 genera. This family consists of bottom-dwelling marine sculpins shaped like tadpoles, with l ...
, found on the
continental shelf
A continental shelf is a portion of a continent that is submerged under an area of relatively shallow water, known as a shelf sea. Much of these shelves were exposed by drops in sea level during glacial periods. The shelf surrounding an island ...
around
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
, between 250 and 1,000 metres deep. It is up to 30 cm long.
References
*
* Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, ''Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand'', (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982)
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2405943
Psychrolutidae
Endemic marine fish of New Zealand
Fish described in 1977