Description: Neocyttus acanthorhynchus fish on hard substratum off Mozambique.
The fish in the grab is an Oreo, family Oreosomatidae, possibly Neocyttus acanthorhynchus, described by Gilchirst 1908 from off Madagascar. This photo is very similar to Neocyttus helgae from the NE Atlantic. I believe several specimens of the photographed species were trapped during the Russian cruise of the Vityaz many years ago. There is no common name for this species. It is closely related to the spikey oreo, Neocyttus rhomboidalis, well known, and fished commercially, on the Atlantic side of South Africa. But the spikey oreo (also previously called the oreo dory, and sometimes black dory - particularly in the fishery) has a less angular shape without the marked dip in front of the dorsal fin. This photo makes me suspicious, wondering if N. helgae and N. acanthorhynchus are perhaps the same species with a classic anti-tropical (bi-polar) global distribution. Your photos are remarkably similar to N. helgae. If they are indeed N. acanthorhynchus, your photos may be the first life photos of same. Item Type: Image Title: Oreo (Neocyttus acanthorhynchus) from Golfinho Mozambique Species: Neocyttus acanthorhynchus Behaviour: swimming near seafloor Site: Indian -- Indian Ocean -- East Africa Site Description: Seafloor Depth (m): 996 Latitude: 10 deg 31' 54" S Longitude: 40 deg 46' 50" E Countries: East Africa -- Mozambique Habitat: rocky area Rig: Belford Dolphin Project Partners: Subsea 7 ROV: Subsea 7 Deposited By: Dr Daniel Jones Deposited On: 18 September 2012
Item Type: Video Title: John dory Species: Zeus faber Behaviour: Swimming Site: Atlantic -- Central Atlantic -- Zafiro Field Site Description: Midwater Depth (m): 800 Latitude: 3 deg 50' 00" S Longitude: 8 deg 30' 00" E Countries: West Africa -- Equatorial Guinea Habitat: Tropical Water Column Rig: Pacific Warden Project Partners: Swire, Subsea 7, Exxon Mobil ROV: Centurion HD 115 Deposited By: Rob Curry Deposited On: 13 March 2007
