Optivus elongatus
Optivus elongatus (Günther, 1859)
Slender roughy
photo by Randall, J.E.


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Family:  Trachichthyidae (Slimeheads)
Max. size:  11.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 70 m
Distribution:  Southwestern Pacific: Restricted to New Zealand.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Nocturnally active; inhabits cracks and crevices during the day. Feeds on small mobile benthic organisms (Ref. 26966), by drifting up to its prey and swallowing it whole with a sideways snap of the large extensible mouth (Ref. 26966).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 26 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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