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Dorsal-fin rays 13–14; anal-fin rays 15–16 (rarely 17); pectoral-fin rays (rarely 12) 13–14; total gill rakers 20–21 (rarely 22); vertebrae 33–34. Largest specimen less than 55 mm SL; trunk tapering to long caudal peduncle; post-temporal spine long, thin, its length greater than one-half the diameter of orbit; basal post-temporal spine short; preopercle spine long, curving anteriorly; frontal ridges minutely spinose; abdominal keel scales do not extend below ventral body margin, these scales with multiple spines; subcaudal scales spinose; supraabdominal photophores in step-like arrangement with first photophore raised substantially above second; supra-anal photophores not well separated from anals; jaws large; teeth minute; underside of lower jaw smooth to slightly spinose; gill rakers short to moderate with rough spinose internal surfaces; pigment in preservative dark dorsally and dark above anal photophores, dark pigment bar extends to midline; pigment in myomerelike striations on trunk, with definite pigment spots along posterior midline.
Post-temporal spine complex, bearing one or two basal supplementary spines; dorso-lateral edge of fused, post-temporal-supracleithrum serrate; abdominal keel scales with spiny ventral surfaces; supra-anal photophore group usually not distinctly separated anal group. Post-temporal spine with a single distinct basal spine; anal-subcaudal distance greater than one-half of the length of the subcauclal group ; anal photophore number 6 to 9. Abdominal keel scales rectangular, with many small ventral spines; post-temporal spine long and smooth or short and spinose dorsally only; first supra-anal photophore about even with or raised above third; anal photophores 8 to 9. Ventral margin of subcauclal photophores with spines (adults); anal-subcaudal photophore distance less than three-fourths length of subcaudal group; first supra-anal photophore higher than the last; post-temporal spine long, greater than one-half diameter of orbit.
Known from three localities in the Indian Ocean along the east African coast from the equator to 30°S.
Baird RC. 1971. The Systematics, Distribution, and Zoogeography of the Marine Hatchetfishes (family Sternoptychidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zooology 142(1):1–128.
Baird RC. 1971. The Systematics, Distribution, and Zoogeography of the Marine Hatchetfishes (family Sternoptychidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zooology 142(1):1–128.
To about 55 mm SL.
Zanzibar area [Tanzania, Western Indian Ocean], depth 640-658 meters.
Holotype: BMNH 1939.5.24.403.
Polyipnus indicus is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Polyipnus. It is found in the Western Indian Ocean. It has a depth range of 50–500 metres (160–1,640 ft).[1]
Polyipnus indicus is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Polyipnus. It is found in the Western Indian Ocean. It has a depth range of 50–500 metres (160–1,640 ft).
