Redescription of the Snailfish Careproctus rhodomelas (Cottoidei: Liparidae), with Ontogenetic and Distributional Notes

Abstract

The rare Japanese deep-sea snailfish Careproctus rhodomelas Gilbert and Burke, 1912 is redescribed based on the holotype and 10 newly-collected specimens (30.0–131.4 mm standard length), with notes on morphological variations in pelvic disk size and body coloration caused by ontogenetic development. An updated distribution of the species is also provided, including the first voucher-supported records off eastern Miyakejima Island and the Hatoma Knoll in the southern part of the Okinawa Trough.