Introduction

The Bathylagidae comprise eight genera and 24 described species, and nine species in six genera are known from Australian waters. Johnson & Patterson (1996) and Wiley & Johnson (2010) included this group as a subfamily of the Microstomatidae, whereas other authors (Paxton & Cohen 1999; Nelson 2006; Eschmeyer & Fong 2014), treated the group as a distinct family.

Deepsea smelts are meso- to bathypelagic in all oceans. Typically, they have large eyes and are relatively slender-bodied fishes similar to argentinids, differing in the absence of a swimbladder and the presence of only two branchiostegal rays (vs 3–5). The stomach contents of one species included crustaceans. Maximum length is about 25 cm.

Cohen (1964) revised the North Atlantic species of deepsea smelts. Kobyliansky (1985, 1986) treated a number of species and genera, and Kobyliansky (1990) presented a key to species of Bathylagichthys. Gon (1990) treated species found in the Southern Ocean, and Gomon (2008) treated species found off southern Australia. Gorelova & Kobyliansky (1985) studied feeding habits of bathylagids. Relationships of the subfamily are discussed by Ahlstrom et al. (1984).

General References

Ahlstrom, E.H., Moser, H.G. & Cohen, D.M. 1984. Argentinoidei: development and relationships. pp. 155-169 figs 82-88 in Moser, H.G. et al. (eds). Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Special Publication 1: 1-760

Cohen, D.M. 1964. Suborder Argentinoidea. In, Olsen, Y.H. (ed.) Fishes of the Western North Atlantic. Memoir. Sears Foundation of Marine Research 1(4): 1-70 figs 1-20

Eschmeyer, W.N. & Fong, J.D. 2014. Species of Fishes by family/subfamily. Catalog of Fishes. Online version updated 19 May 2014. http://research.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/SpeciesByFamily.asp

Gomon, M.F. 2008. Family Microstomatidae. pp. 199-201 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Gon, O. 1990. Bathylagidae. pp. 107-110 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp.

Gon, O. & Stewart, A.L. 2014. A new species of the genus Bathylagichthys (Pisces, Bathylagidae) from New Zealand. Zootaxa 3884(4): 371-378 [377]

Gorelova, T.A. & Kobyliansky, S.G. 1985. Feeding of deepsea fishes of the Family Bathylagidae. Journal of Ichthyology 25(3): 89-100

Johnson, G.D. & Patterson, C. 1996. Relationships of lower euteleostean fishes. pp. 251-332 in Stiassny, M.L.J., Parenti, L.R. & Johnson, G.D. (eds). Interrelationships of Fishes. San Diego : Academic Press 496 pp.

Kobyliansky, S.G. 1985. Material for the revision of the genus Bathylagus Günther (Bathylagidae): the group of "light" deepsea smelts. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 25(1): 51-67 [in Russian; English translation in J. Ichthyol. 25(2): 1–17]

Kobyliansky, S.G. 1986. Materials for a revision of the family Bathylagidae (Teleostei, Salmoniformes). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 6-50 [in Russian]

Kobyliansky, S.H. 1990. Taxonomic status of microstomatid fishes and problems of classification of suborder Argentinoidei (Salmoniformes, Teleostei). Trudy Instituta Okeanologii. Akademiya Nauk SSSR. Moskva 125: 148-177

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Paxton, J.R. & Cohen, D.M. 1999. Argentinidae. p. 1884 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068.

Wiley, E.O. & Johnson, G.D. 2010. A teleost classification based on monophyletic groups. pp. 123-182 in Nelson, J.S., Schultze, H.-P. & Wilson, M.V.H. Origin and Phylogenetic Interrelationships of Teleosts. München, Germany : Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil 480 pp.

Common Name References

Paxton, J.R. & Cohen, D.M. 1999. Families Argentinidae, Microstomatidae, Bathylagidae, Opisthoproctidae. pp. 1884-1887 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1886] (Deepsea Smelts)

History of changes

• Bathylagichthys Kobyliansky, S.G. 1986. Materials for a revision of the family Bathylagidae (Teleostei, Salmoniformes). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 6-50 [in Russian] [48].

  Type species:

   Bathylagus longipinnis Kobyliansky, 1985 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circumglobal.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Norfolk Island Province (21), Macquarie Island Province (24), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

History of changes

• Bathylagichthys australis Kobyliansky, S.G. 1990. Two new species of the genus Bathylagichthys Kobyliansky (Bathylagidae, Salmoniformes) from Southern Hemisphere subpolar waters. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 30(4): 537-542 [English translation in J. Ichthyol. 30(5):21–27] [539, fig. 3].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMM P.18060 (depth 0-200 m), Indian Ocean [44°55´S, 134°46´W].
  Paratype(s) IOAN.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

East of Tathra, NSW (36°43'S), to east of Cape Barren Island, TAS (40°28'S), also Tasman Sea and Southern Ocean outside AUS EEZ, recorded from Kerguelen Islands and probably present around Heard and MacDonald Islands; temperate, south Indo-Pacific.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine, mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

800-1000 m in Australia, 50-1000 m elsewhere.

General References

Flynn, A.J. & Pogonoski, J.J. 2012. Guide to Mesopelagic Fishes of the Southern Tasman Sea. Hobart, Australia : CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research i-v + 221 pp. [30]

Gomon, M.F. 2008. Family Microstomatidae. pp. 199-201 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp. [200]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Microstomatidae. pp. 373-378 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [375]

Common Name References

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Southern Deepsea Smelt)

History of changes

• Bathylagus greyae Cohen, D.M. 1958. Two new species of Bathylagus from the western North Atlantic with notes on other species. Breviora. Museum of Comparative Zoology 98: 1-9 [5, fig. 2].

  Type data:

   Holotype FMNH 49730 (depth 500-550 m), near Bermuda [32°13.5´N, 64°32.5´W].
  Paratype(s) CAS(SU) 50974.

Generic Combinations

• Bathylagichthys greyae (Cohen, 1958). —
  Kobyliansky, S.G. 1986. Materials for a revision of the family Bathylagidae (Teleostei, Salmoniformes). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 6-50 [in Russian] [49] (changed combination with description of genus Bathylagichthys)

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

East of Maria Island, TAS (42°40'S, 148°25'E) to southwest of Cape Leeuwin, WA (35°02'S, 114°46'S); temperate, circumglobal.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine, mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

100-920 m.

General References

Gon, O. & Stewart, A.L. 2014. A new species of the genus Bathylagichthys (Pisces, Bathylagidae) from New Zealand. Zootaxa 3884(4): 371-378 [373]

Kobyliansky, S.G. 1990. Two new species of the genus Bathylagichthys Kobyliansky (Bathylagidae, Salmoniformes) from Southern Hemisphere subpolar waters. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 30(4): 537-542 [English translation in J. Ichthyol. 30(5):21–27] [542]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Microstomatidae. pp. 373-378 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [375]

Common Name References

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Grey's Deepsea Smelt)

History of changes

• Bathylagichthys kobylianskyi Gon, O. & Stewart, A.L. 2014. A new species of the genus Bathylagichthys (Pisces, Bathylagidae) from New Zealand. Zootaxa 3884(4): 371-378.

  Type data:

   Holotype NMNZ P.35456, Hikurangi Trench, New Zealand [42°12’S, 177°30’E].
  Paratype(s) NMNZ P.13911, East Cape Ridge to southern Kermadec Trench, North Island, NZ [37°50.9’S, 178°55.4’E]; NMNZ P.13912, off Mahia Peninsula, outer Hikurangi Trench, North Island, NZ [39°9.51’S, 179°10.7’E]; NMNZ P.13914, SE of Gisborne, western Hikurangi Trench, North Island, NZ [39°5.07'S, 178°37.69'E]; NMNZ P.13915 (2), E of East Cape Ridge, North Island, NZ [38°22.16'S, 179°15.69'E]; NMNZ P.13916 (2), Gisborne, Ranfurly Bank, North Island, NZ [38°22.0’S, 179°45.9'E]; NMNZ P.17971 (3), East Cape Ridge, North Island, NZ [38°22'S, 179°35.35'E]; NMNZ P.17992 (5), E of Mahia Peninsula, North Island, NZ [39°0.64'S, 178°26.065'E]; NMNZ P.19969, Gisborne, SE of East Cape, North Island, NZ [37°51.65'S, 178°55.7'E]; NMNZ P.20680, East Cape sampling area, North Island, NZ; NMNZ P.35414, Hikurangi Trench, NZ [40°05.0’S, 179°20.0’E]; NMNZ P.39740, Southern New Caledonian Basin [35º59.02'S, 170º03.58'E]; NMNZ P.53051, Hikurangi Trench, NZ [40°08.46’S, 178°14.59’E]; NMNZ P.54489, Hawke’s Bay, N of Mahia Peninsula, North Island, NZ [39°09.95’S, 178°48.76’E]; NMNZ P.56083, collected with holotype; NMNZ P.18546 (2), E of Wanganella Bank [32°14.35'S, 167°47.8'E]; NMNZ P.18917 (3), northern central Tasman Basin [40°06.95'S, 160°15.75'E]; BMNH 2014.7.21.2–3 (2) (ex NMNZ P.13912); CSIRO H 7584-01 (2) (ex NMNZ P.13911); SAIAB 200132 (3) (ex NMNZ P.13916); MCZ 171511 (ex NMNZ P.18917); NSMT 120864 (2) (ex NMNZ P.18917); USNM 432150 (3) (ex NMNZ P.18917).

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Bathylagichthys problematicus Lloris & Rucabado, 1985 [a misidentification]. —
  Kobyliansky, S.G. 1990. Two new species of the genus Bathylagichthys Kobyliansky (Bathylagidae, Salmoniformes) from Southern Hemisphere subpolar waters. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 30(4): 537-542 [English translation in J. Ichthyol. 30(5):21–27] [27] (in key to species of Bathylagichthys)

Introduction

This species was described based on a large number of misidentified B. problematicus and it is possible that some records of B. problematicus from Australia represent this species (see Gon & Stewart 2014).

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

One record from inside AUS EEZ south of Norfolk Island (32°14'S, 167°48'E), but also recorded from southern Tasman Sea and likely to be present in Australian waters; temperate

IMCRA

Norfolk Island Province (21)

General References

Gon, O. & Stewart, A.L. 2014. A new species of the genus Bathylagichthys (Pisces, Bathylagidae) from New Zealand. Zootaxa 3884(4): 371-378 [377]

Gon, O. & Stewart, A.L. 2015. Family Bathylagidae. pp. 337-345 in Roberts, C.D., Stewart, A.L. & Struthers, C.D. The Fishes of New Zealand. Wellington : Te Papa Press Vol. 2 pp. 1-576. [339]

Kobyliansky, S.G. 1990. Two new species of the genus Bathylagichthys Kobyliansky (Bathylagidae, Salmoniformes) from Southern Hemisphere subpolar waters. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 30(4): 537-542 [English translation in J. Ichthyol. 30(5):21–27] [27] (as B. problematicus, in key)

History of changes

• Bathylagus longipinnis Kobyliansky, S.G. 1985. Material for the revision of the genus Bathylagus Günther (Bathylagidae): the group of "light" deepsea smelts. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 25(1): 51-67 [in Russian; English translation in J. Ichthyol. 25(2): 1–17] [52, Fig. 1].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMMU P-16296, Southwestern Indian Ocean close to southeastern Atlantic, depth 200-0 m [41°34'S, 22°41'E].
  Paratype(s) IOAN uncat.

Generic Combinations

• Bathylagichthys longipinnis (Kobyliansky, 1985). —
  Kobyliansky, S.G. 1986. Materials for a revision of the family Bathylagidae (Teleostei, Salmoniformes). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 6-50 [in Russian] [48] (changed combination as type of genus Bathylagichthys)

Distribution

States

Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

East of Maria Island, TAS (42°40'S, 148°26'E), and eastwards into the southern Tasman Sea (41°08'S, 152°16'E); temperate, Atlantic-Indo-west Pacific

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11)

Ecological Descriptors

Mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

200-600 m, elsewhere 75-400 m

General References

Flynn, A.J. & Pogonoski, J.J. 2012. Guide to Mesopelagic Fishes of the Southern Tasman Sea. Hobart, Australia : CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research i-v + 221 pp. [31]

Gon, O. & Stewart, A.L. 2015. Family Bathylagidae. pp. 337-345 in Roberts, C.D., Stewart, A.L. & Struthers, C.D. The Fishes of New Zealand. Wellington : Te Papa Press Vol. 2 pp. 1-576. [340]

Kobyliansky, S.G. 1990. Two new species of the genus Bathylagichthys Kobyliansky (Bathylagidae, Salmoniformes) from Southern Hemisphere subpolar waters. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 30(4): 537-542 [English translation in J. Ichthyol. 30(5):21–27] [542]

History of changes

• Nansenia problematica Lloris, D. & Rucabado, J.A. 1985. A new species of Nansenia (N. problematica) (Salmoniformes: Bathylagidae) from the southeast Atlantic. Copeia 1985(1): 141-145 [142, fig. 1].

  Type data:

   Holotype IIPB IIPB 707/1981, Namibia, off southwestern Africa, depth 615 meters [27°02'S, 13°55'E].
  Paratype(s) IIPB 708/1981; IIPB 709/1981; IIPB 710/1981; IIPB 711/1981.

Generic Combinations

• Bathylagichthys problematicus (Lloris & Rucabado, 1985). —
  Kobyliansky, S.G. 1990. Two new species of the genus Bathylagichthys Kobyliansky (Bathylagidae, Salmoniformes) from Southern Hemisphere subpolar waters. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 30(4): 537-542 [English translation in J. Ichthyol. 30(5):21–27] [542] (changed combination cited)

Introduction

The recent description of B. kobylianskyi Gon & Stewart 2014 from New Zealand based on specimens originally misidentified as B. problematicus has raised some doubt over the presence of B. problematicus in Australia. Furthermore, a key to the genus provided by Kobyliansky (1990) also listed B. kobylianskyi misidentified as B. problematicus (see Gon & Stewart 2014). While records of B. problematicus from Australia may prove to be misidentifications we retain the species here until Australian museum records can be re-examined.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Southwest of Port MacDonnell, SA (38°19'S, 140°21'E), also east of Cape Barren Island, TAS, just outside AUS EEZ, and Macquarie Island; temperate, Atlantic and south-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Bathypelagic, continental rise, marine, mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

200-1200 m.

General References

Flynn, A.J. & Pogonoski, J.J. 2012. Guide to Mesopelagic Fishes of the Southern Tasman Sea. Hobart, Australia : CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research i-v + 221 pp. [32]

Gomon, M.F. 2008. Family Microstomatidae. pp. 199-201 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp. [200]

Gon, O. & Stewart, A.L. 2014. A new species of the genus Bathylagichthys (Pisces, Bathylagidae) from New Zealand. Zootaxa 3884(4): 371-378 [373]

Gon, O. & Stewart, A.L. 2015. Family Bathylagidae. pp. 337-345 in Roberts, C.D., Stewart, A.L. & Struthers, C.D. The Fishes of New Zealand. Wellington : Te Papa Press Vol. 2 pp. 1-576. [342]

Kobyliansky, S.G. 1990. Two new species of the genus Bathylagichthys Kobyliansky (Bathylagidae, Salmoniformes) from Southern Hemisphere subpolar waters. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 30(4): 537-542 [English translation in J. Ichthyol. 30(5):21–27] [542] (Listed in key, but based on a misidentification of B. kobylianskyi Gon & Stewart 2014)

History of changes

• Bathylagoides Whitley, G.P. 1951. New fish names and records. Proceedings of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales 1949–50: 61-68 figs 8-10 [61] [first introduced as a subgenus of Bathylagus Günther, 1878].

  Type species:

   Bathylagus argyrogaster Norman, 1930 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Discontinuous (south-west Pacific and South Atlantic).

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10)

History of changes

• Bathylagus argyrogaster Norman, J.R. 1930. Oceanic fishes and flatfishes collected in 1925–1927. Discovery Reports 2: 261-370 figs 1-47 pls 1-2 [273, fig. 4].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 1930.1.12.12-20 9 specimens (depth 125-175 m), South Atlantic [2°43´30"S, 0°56´30"W].

Generic Combinations

• Bathylagoides argyrogaster (Norman, 1930). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1951. New fish names and records. Proceedings of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales 1949–50: 61-68 figs 8-10 [61] (changed combination as subgenus Bathylagus (Bathylagoides) argyrogaster)
  Carter, J. A. and Hartel, K. E. 2003. Argentinidae, Bathylagidae, Opisthoproctidae, Alepocephalidae, and Platytroctidae. Pp. 866-880 in Carpenter, K.E. (ed.). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Rome : FAO & American Society of Ichthyologists & Herpetologists Vol. 2 602-1373 pp. [870] (changed combination cited)

Distribution

States

Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Off southwestern TAS (44º11´S, 143º36´E); temperate, discontinuous (south-west Pacific and South Atlantic).

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine, pelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

125-175 m.

General References

Carter, J. A. and Hartel, K. E. 2003. Argentinidae, Bathylagidae, Opisthoproctidae, Alepocephalidae, and Platytroctidae. Pp. 866-880 in Carpenter, K.E. (ed.). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Rome : FAO & American Society of Ichthyologists & Herpetologists Vol. 2 602-1373 pp. [870]

Kobyliansky, S.G. 1985. Material for the revision of the genus Bathylagus Günther (Bathylagidae): the group of "light" deepsea smelts. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 25(1): 51-67 [in Russian; English translation in J. Ichthyol. 25(2): 1–17] [64] (as Bathylagus argyrogaster)

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [29] (201, as Bathylagus argyrogaster)

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Microstomatidae. pp. 373-378 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [375]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [168] (as Bathylagus argyrogaster)

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [35] (221, as Bathylagus argyrogaster)

Common Name References

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [29] (Silver Big-eye Smelt)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Silver Deepsea Smelt)

History of changes

• Bathylagus Günther, A. 1878. Preliminary notices of deep-sea fishes collected during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 2(2, 22, 28): 17-28, 179-187, 248-251 [248].

  Type species:

   Bathylagus antarcticus Günther, 1878 by subsequent designation, see Jordan, D.S. 1919. The genera of fishes. Part 3. Stanford University Publications, University Series 39: 285-410 [395].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Southern circumglobal.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

History of changes

• Bathylagus antarcticus Günther, A. 1878. Preliminary notices of deep-sea fishes collected during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 2(2, 22, 28): 17-28, 179-187, 248-251 [248].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1887.12.7.230 (depth 1950 fathoms), Southern Ocean [53°55´S, 108°53´E].
• Bathylagus glacialis Regan, C.T. 1913. The Antarctic fishes of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 49(2): 229-292 figs 1-6 pls 1-11 [231, pl. 9 (fig. 2)].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1912.7.1.63-64, Weddell Sea, Antarctica.
  Syntype(s) NMSZ 1921.143.307, Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Gon, O. 1990. Bathylagidae. pp. 107-110 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [107]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Off Newcastle, NSW (33º09´S, 153º05'E) to west of Granville Harbour, TAS (41º53´S, 144º24´E), also recorded throughout Australian Antarctic Territory; temperate, southern circumglobal.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Ecological Descriptors

Bathypelagic, marine, mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

200-3600 m.

General References

Gomon, M.F. 1994. Family Bathylagidae. 240 fig. 214 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [240]

Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds) 1990. Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [107]

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [29] (200)

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Microstomatidae. pp. 373-378 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [375]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [168]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [35] (222, as Bathylagus (Bathylagoides) antarcticus)

Common Name References

Gomon, M.F. 1994. Family Bathylagidae. 240 fig. 214 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [240] (Antarctic Deepsea Smelt, Antarctic Big-eyed Smelt)

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [29] (Antarctic Big-eye Smelt)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Antarctic Deepsea Smelt)

History of changes

• Dolicholagus Kobyliansky, S.G. 1986. Materials for a revision of the family Bathylagidae (Teleostei, Salmoniformes). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 6-50 [in Russian] [46].

  Type species:

   Bathylagus longirostris Maul, 1948 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circumglobal.

IMCRA

Northwest Province (4)

History of changes

• Bathylagus longirostris Maul, G.E. 1948. Monografia dos peixes do Museu Municipal do Funchal. Ordem Isospondyli. Boletim do Museu Municipal do Funchal 3(5): 5-41 [35, fig. 14].

  Type data:

   Holotype MMF, off Madeira.

Generic Combinations

• Dolicholagus longirostris (Maul, 1948). —
  Kobyliansky, S.G. 1986. Materials for a revision of the family Bathylagidae (Teleostei, Salmoniformes). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 6-50 [in Russian] [46] (changed combination as type species of genus Dolicholagus)

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Off Northwest Shelf (20°54´S, 113°08´E); tropical, subtropical, circumglobal

IMCRA

Northwest Province (4)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Marine, mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

200-945 m.

General References

Kobyliansky, S.G. 1985. Material for the revision of the genus Bathylagus Günther (Bathylagidae): the group of "light" deepsea smelts. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 25(1): 51-67 [in Russian; English translation in J. Ichthyol. 25(2): 1–17]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Microstomatidae. pp. 373-378 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [375]

Paxton, J.R. & Cohen, D.M. 1999. Families Argentinidae, Microstomatidae, Bathylagidae, Opisthoproctidae. pp. 1884-1887 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1886]

Common Name References

FAO-FIES 2015. Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Information System (ASFIS) species list. 13/04/2015. http://www.fao.org/fishery/collection/asfis/en (Longsnout Blacksmelt)

Fishbase 2004. Fishbase at. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary. (Fishbase) (Longsnout Blacksmelt)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Longsnout Deepsea Smelt)

History of changes

• Lipolagus Kobyliansky, S.G. 1986. Materials for a revision of the family Bathylagidae (Teleostei, Salmoniformes). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 6-50 [in Russian] [47].

  Type species:

   Bathylagus ochotensis Schmidt, 1938 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Temperate, north Pacific.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12)

History of changes

• Bathylagus ochotensis Schmidt, P.J. 1938. Three new deepsea fishes from the Okhotsk Sea. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR 19(8): 653-656 [654].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZIL 24498 (depth 592 m), Kamchatka, Okhotsk Sea [55°18´N, 146°39´E].

Generic Combinations

• Lipolagus ochotensis (Schmidt, 1938). —
  Kobyliansky, S.G. 1986. Materials for a revision of the family Bathylagidae (Teleostei, Salmoniformes). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 6-50 [in Russian] [47] (changed combination as type species of genus Lipolagus)

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Off Newcastle (33º01´S, 153º00'E) to off Brush Island (35º36´S, 150º55'E), NSW; temperate, north Pacific.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12)

Ecological Descriptors

Bathypelagic, epipelagic, marine, mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

0-6100 m.

General References

Kobyliansky, S.G. 1985. Material for the revision of the genus Bathylagus Günther (Bathylagidae): the group of "light" deepsea smelts. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 25(1): 51-67 [in Russian; English translation in J. Ichthyol. 25(2): 1–17] [59] (as Bathylagus ochotensis)

Kobyliansky, S.H. 1990. Taxonomic status of microstomatid fishes and problems of classification of suborder Argentinoidei (Salmoniformes, Teleostei). Trudy Instituta Okeanologii. Akademiya Nauk SSSR. Moskva 125: 148-177 [148]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Microstomatidae. pp. 373-378 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [376]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [169] (as Bathylagus ochotensis)

Common Name References

Fishbase 2004. Fishbase at. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary. (Fishbase) (Eared Blacksmelt)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Fatty Deepsea Smelt)

History of changes

• Melanolagus Kobyliansky, S.G. 1986. Materials for a revision of the family Bathylagidae (Teleostei, Salmoniformes). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 6-50 [in Russian] [45].

  Type species:

   Scopelus bericoides Borodin, 1929 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Tropical, temperate circumglobal

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Macquarie Island Province (24)

History of changes

• Scopelus bericoides Borodin, N.A. 1929. Some new deep sea fishes. Proceedings of the New England Zoological Club, Boston 10: 109-111 [110].

  Type data:

   Holotype MCZ 31627 (depth 0-800 fathoms), North Atlantic [41°30'N, 45°57'W].

Generic Combinations

• Melanolagus bericoides (Borodin, 1929). —
  Kobyliansky, S.G. 1986. Materials for a revision of the family Bathylagidae (Teleostei, Salmoniformes). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 6-50 [in Russian] [45] (changed combination as type species of the genus Melanolagus)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

North of Osprey Reef, Coral Sea (12º22'S, 146º29'E) to east of Cairns, QLD (16º49'S, 146º59'E), and off Sydney, NSW (33º54'S, 151º54'E) to west of Granville Harbour, TAS (41º48'S, 144º26'E), also north of Macquarie Island; tropical, temperate, circumglobal

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Macquarie Island Province (24)

Ecological Descriptors

Bathypelagic, marine, mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

100-1700 m

General References

Flynn, A.J. & Pogonoski, J.J. 2012. Guide to Mesopelagic Fishes of the Southern Tasman Sea. Hobart, Australia : CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research i-v + 221 pp. [33]

Gomon, M.F. 2008. Family Microstomatidae. pp. 199-201 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp. [201]

Gon, O. & Stewart, A.L. 2015. Family Bathylagidae. pp. 337-345 in Roberts, C.D., Stewart, A.L. & Struthers, C.D. The Fishes of New Zealand. Wellington : Te Papa Press Vol. 2 pp. 1-576. [345]

Miya, M. 1994. Seasonal occurrence of deep-sea bathylagid fishes in Sagami Bay, Central Japan, with notes on their reproduction. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology 40(4): 433-440 [435] (as Bathylagus bericoides)

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Microstomatidae. pp. 373-378 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [376]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [168] (as Bathylagus bericoides)

Common Name References

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Bigscale Deepsea Smelt)

History of changes