5 from Chile (795.0-812.0 mm TL), FAKU CP 77, 331, 332, 774, 861.
Description:
D 276-300; A 183-213; P1 12-14; LL pores 140-151.
HL 14.5-15.5% of SL; ED 2.1-2.5; SN 4.0-4.4; IO 2.5-2.9; UJ 5.0-6.0; P1L 4.8-5.4; PreD 14.9-15.6; PreAn 39.8-42.1; PreA 40.4-43.2.
Body elongate, round anteriorly and compressed posteriorly. Depth of body about 5, head length about 3 in distance between snout to anus. Head, rather depressed and small, about 6.5 in total length. Mouth small, end of upper jaw reaching to middle of eye. Upper jaw slightly longer than lower jaw. A patch of premaxillary teeth visible, even when mouth closed. Lips rather thick and fleshy. Eye moderate in size, slightly smaller than interorbital width. Small conical teeth in band on jaws and vomer. No teeth on palatine. Gill-slit small, about half as wide as interspace. Two nostrils, anterior one tubular and situated nearer to eye. Dorsal fin originating above origin of pectoral fin. Anal fin originating slightly anterior to middle of body. No scales. Fine soft cilia densely covering body. Lateral line distinct, running almost straight from above operculer region to tail with many tubular lateral line pores. Brownish dorsally, lighter below, dorsal and anal fins with dark margin.
Distribution:
Continental shelf and slope of Chilean Patagonia and off Atlantic coast of South America from Mar del Plata to Peninsula Vardes.
Remarks:
It is likely that further comparison between Chilean and Argentine populations may separate this species into two subspecies. The meat of this fish is said to be excellent in fresh condition (Bellisio, López and Torno, 1979).
(Izumi NAKAMURA)
Distribution of Pseudoxenomystax albescens in Patagonia.
Fine soft cilia (1) and lateral line pore (2) on skin.