Otopharynx heterodon, a large breeding male. Scroll down for a second, smaller individual that better shows the melanic color pattern (although it is paler than usual, because the fish is stressed by being confined in a photographic aquarium). The large size of the spots, especially the big, rectangular suprapectoral spot, is a distinctive feature of this species. Both photos copyright © 1997 by M. K. Oliver.

A distinctive deep-water "three-spot" species with enlarged lips, Otopharynx pachycheilus (informally known as Otopharynx "rubber lips") was collected in 1996. I suspect that it is closely related to O. heterodon.
 

Last Update: 27 December 2001 Web Author: M. K. Oliver, Ph.D. Copyright © 1997-2021 by M. K. Oliver, Ph.D. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED