In situ video observations of two manefishes (perciformes: Caristiidae) in the mesopelagic zone of the northern Gulf of Mexico

M.C. Benfield; John H. Caruso; K. J. Sulak

doi:10.1643/ci-08-126

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In situ video observations of two manefishes (perciformes: Caristiidae) in the mesopelagic zone of the northern Gulf of Mexico

M.C. Benfield·John H. Caruso·K. J. Sulak

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Abstract

This paper describes direct video observations of two manefishes, likely Paracaristius sp., from the mesopelagic waters of the north-central Gulf of Mexico. One fish was observed with a remotely operated vehicle at a depth of 829 m by an industrial ROV as part of the SERPENT Project. The second was observed at 496 m from a manned submersible. Little is known about the behavior of manefishes because most records result from net-collected material. Our observation demonstrates that manefishes are capable of precise locomotory and posture control using extended, erect fins and that the pelvic fins of these fishes are extended in a parachute-like manner. Moreover, one of the specimens exhibited an unusual vertical, sinusoidal oscillation of its caudal fin. One of the observations took place in association with a physonect siphonophore. These observations may include the deepest published record for a manefish in the Gulf of Mexico.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 18.2° to 30.4° latitude; -97.9° to -81° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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M.C. Benfield, John H. Caruso, K. J. Sulak. 2009. In situ video observations of two manefishes (perciformes: Caristiidae) in the mesopelagic zone of the northern Gulf of Mexico. https://doi.org/10.1643/ci-08-126

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