Saccogaster nikoliviae Nielsen, Schwarzhans & Cohen 2012

This species is distinguished from its congeners by having predorsal scales and by the following set of characters: pair of frontal spines above and behind eyes is more or less distinct and a median, sub-dermal, cartilaginous, ethmoidal spine in front of eyes; numerous neuromasts found below translucent head-skin arranged in four distinct clusters; with scales on body; anterior arch with 3 long gill rakers, 3-5 times length of filaments; prolonged pectoral peduncle; palatines with 2- tooth rows; lower angle of preoperculum with an antero-ventrally directed spine; vertebrae, precaudal 12-13, total 52-53; fin rays, D 80-84, A 48-52, pectoral 17-18; otolith length to height, 1.9, otolith length to colliculum length, 2.8-3.1 (Ref. 93007).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 80 - 84; Analsoft rays: 48 - 52; Vertebrae: 52 - 53

This viviparous species occurs on the upper continental slope. Female specimens have extended ovaries and eggs up to 0.5 mm in diameter; no embryos were observed. A 5.0 cm SL male paratype had a ripe testes and well developed intromittent organ (Ref. 93007).