Epigonus lustrans
Epigonus lustrans Okamoto, Fricke & Yagishita, 2025
São Tomé deepwater cardinalfish
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Epigonidae (Deepwater cardinalfishes)
Max. size:  10.55 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 6 - 71 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Atlantic: São Tomé and Príncipe.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal-fin rays VII-I, 10; pectoral-fin rays 16-17; total gill rakers 23-25; vertebrae 10 + 15; pyloric caeca 8; pored lateral-line scales 46-49 + 4; absence of opercular spine; absence of maxillary mustache-like processes; absence of lingual teeth; small conical teeth on lower jaw; pair of ribs present on last abdominal vertebra (Fig. 1e); absence of tubercle on inner symphysis of lower jaw; pectoral-fin length 16.8-22.8% SL; postorbital length 10.8-12.7% SL; silvery white gill cover; and light brown pectoral fin (Ref. 138499).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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