Gyrinomimus amaokai
Gyrinomimus amaokai Su, Paxton & Ho, 2026
Amaoka’s flabby whalefish
Gyrinomimus amaokai
photo by Yo Su et al., 2026

Family:  Cetomimidae (Flabby whalefishes)
Max. size:  47.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 3000 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Japan.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 51-53. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: 2-5 (very rarely 1) spines on dorsal and ventral arms of the lateral-line scales which, at least in preserved specimens, penetrate the skin of the lateral-line canal; cavernous tissue present around anus and extending to base of anterior 2nd-14th anal-fin rays; filaments on fourth gill arch well developed, its length 43.2-64.6% filament on first arch; anal lappets 8-14, with last over anal-fin rays 12-16, and with scales; vertebrae 32-34 + 17-20 = 51-53; GRIII 1 + 1 + 1; dorsal-fin rays 17-21; anal-fin rays 17-20; lateral-line pores 18-22; lateral-line scales 17-21; and IO 7 + 2 (very rarely 8 + 2) and copular tooth plate elongated, greatest width 3.3-4.1 in length (Ref. 138879).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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