Mononoke Tilefish

Why in News?

A Chinese research team has discovered a new fish species, named Mononoke tilefish.

Mononoke Tilefish – It is a new species of deep-water tilefish.
Discovered in – South China Sea, the continental slope area between Hainan Island and Xisha Qundao at a depth of about 200 meters.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name – Branchiostegus sanae.
- Genus – Branchiostegus, are 19 species only 3 species have been discovered.
It is known as Ghost Horsehead Fish.
Size – 40 centimeters.
Habitat – Sandy and muddy bottoms on the edges of continental and oceanic plates.
Distribution – South China Sea, East and Southeast Asia.
Found from warm temperate to tropical oceans.
Morphology – Large body with an eyes close to its head, nostril oval-like shape, mouth terminal and jaws rows with canine-like teeth.
Its upper part pale orange mixed with yellow stripes, and lower part dark grey with inconspicuous yellow blotch near base.

Uniqueness – Cheek markers are red and white stripes that run vertically from the eyes to the cheeks.
Approximately light 16 vertical stripes present along the body.
It is the only one with vertical stripes on the body.
Behavior – It lives at great depths, with some found 600 m below the surface.

Did You Know?

Mononoke Tilefish’s distinctive cheek stripes, earning it the name of a character from the animated movie “Princess Mononoke.”