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{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Distinguish|tripodfish}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Taxobox
{{Speciesbox
| name = Tripod fish
| name = Tripodfish
| image = Bathypterois grallator.jpg
| image = Bathypterois grallator.jpg
| image_caption =
| status = [[Not Evaluated]]
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Bannerman, P. |author2=Poss, S. |author3=Russell, B. |author4=Nunoo, F. |date=2015 |title=''Bathypterois grallator'' |volume=2015 |page=e.T194992A15571915 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T194992A15571915.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
| classis = [[Actinopterygii]]
⚫
| taxon = Bathypterois grallator
| ordo = [[Aulopiformes]]
⚫
| authority = ([[George Brown Goode|Goode]] & [[Tarleton Hoffman Bean|T. H. Bean]], 1886)
| familia = [[Ipnopidae]]
| genus = ''[[Bathypterois]]''
| species = '''''B. grallator'''''
⚫
| binomial = ''Bathypterois grallator''
⚫
| binomial_authority = ([[George Brown Goode|Goode]] & [[Tarleton Hoffman Bean|T. H. Bean]], 1886)
}}
}}

'''Tripod fish''', ''Bathypterois grallator'', are a deep-sea [[benthic]] fish found at lower latitudes. They are now relatively well known from photographs and submersible observations. They seem to prefer to perch on the ooze using much elongated fin rays in their tails and two pelvic fins in order to stand, facing upstream with the pectoral fins turned forward so that the outthrust projecting fin rays resemble multiple antennae, and are indeed used as tactile organs. ''Bathypterois grallator'' are hermaphroditic. There are at least eighteen species in the genus ''Bathypterois'', several of which have similar appearance and behavior to ''Bathypterois grallator''.
The '''tripod fish''' or '''tripod spiderfish''', '''''Bathypterois grallator''''', is a deep-sea [[benthic]] fish in the family [[Ipnopidae]] found at lower latitudes. It is now relatively well known from photographs and submersible observations, and seems to prefer to perch on the [[Pelagic sediment|ooze]] using much elongated fin rays in the tail and two pelvic fins to stand, facing upstream with the pectoral fins turned forward so the outthrust projecting fin rays resemble multiple antennae, and are indeed used as tactile organs. ''B. grallator'' is [[hermaphroditic]]. At least 18 species are placed in the genus ''[[Bathypterois]]'', several of which have similar appearance and behavior to ''B. grallator''. ''B. grallator'' is the largest member of its genus, commonly exceeding a [[Fish measurement|standard length]] of {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021" /> and reaching up to {{convert|43.4|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=fishbase>{{FishBase | genus = Bathypterois | species = grallator | month = February| year = 2017}}</ref>


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
The tripod fish has long, bony rays that stick out below its tail fin and both pectoral (chest) fins. Even though the fish’s body is 36 centimeters (14 inches) long, its fins can be more than a meter (3 feet). Most of the time, the tripod fish stands on its three fins on the bottom of the ocean. Even though the fins are presumably quite stiff, researchers have been successful in surprising the fish into swimming, and then the fins seem flexible. It spends much of its adult life standing on the sea floor hunting its food.<ref name="jonessulak">{{cite journal |last=Jones |first=AT |coauthor=KJ Sulak |title=First Central Pacific Plate and Hawaiian Record of the Deep-sea Tripod Fish ''Bathypterois grallator'' (Pisces: Chlorophthalmidae) |journal=Pacific Science |year=1990 |volume=44 |number=3 |pages=254–7 |url=http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/1281/1/v44n3-254-257.pdf |format=PDF}}</ref>
The tripodfish, sometimes referred to as the [[abyssal spiderfish]], has long, bony rays that stick out below its tail fin and both pelvic fins. The fish's head-and-body is up to {{convert|43.4|cm|abbr=on}} long,<ref name=fishbase/> but its fins can be more than {{convert|1|m|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} Most of the time, the tripodfish stands on its three fins on the bottom of the ocean, hunting for food.<ref name="jonessulak">{{cite journal |last=Jones |first=AT |author2=KJ Sulak |title=First Central Pacific Plate and Hawaiian Record of the Deep-sea Tripod Fish ''Bathypterois grallator'' (Pisces: Chlorophthalmidae) |journal=Pacific Science |year=1990 |volume=44 |number=3 |pages=254–7 |url=http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/1281/1/v44n3-254-257.pdf }}</ref> Even though the fins are presumably quite stiff, researchers have been successful in surprising the fish into swimming, and then the fins seem flexible. Scientists have suggested that fluids are pumped into these fins when the fish is 'standing' to make them more rigid.<ref>[http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-blog/2014/03/tripod-fish-a-fish-with-legs/ Tripod Fish; a fish with legs], Australian Geographic, 20 March 2014</ref>


==Habitat==
==Habitat==
''Bathypterois grallator'' has been found relatively widely throughout the ocean from a northern latitude of the [[40th parallel north]] to a southern latitude of the [[40th parallel south]]. It is a wide ranging eurybathic fish and it is found from 878 to 4720 meters (2854 to 15,340 feet) deep.<ref name="jonessulak"/> Along with the [[giant squid]], deep-sea [[anglerfish]] and [[black swallower]], it is one of the permanent residents found in the [[Abyssal zone]] and was directly observed on the historic voyage of the [[bathyscaphe Trieste]] to the [[Mariana Trench]].
''Bathypterois grallator'' has been found relatively widely in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans from 40°N to 40°S. It is a wide-ranging [[wikt:eurybathic|eurybathic]] fish found from {{convert|878|to|4720|m|abbr=on}} deep.<ref name="jonessulak"/>


==Food==
==Food==
The tripod fish uses tactile and mechanosensory cues to identify food; the tripod fish apparently does not have special visual adaptations to help them find food in their low-light environment. When the fish is perched with its long rays on the ocean floor, it can get dinner without even seeing its meal. The tripod fish’s mouth ends up at just the right height to catch shrimp, tiny fish and small crustaceans swimming by. They seem to prefer to perch on the mud using much elongated fin rays in their tails and two pelvic fins in order to stand, facing upstream into the current to ambush with the pectoral fins turned forward so that the outthrust projecting fins resemble multiple antennae. The fish senses objects in the water with its front fins. These fins act like hands. Once they feel prey and realize it is edible, the fins knock the food into the fish’s mouth.<ref name="hoar">{{cite book|last=Hoar |first=W.S. |coauthors=Randall, D.J., Conte, F.P. |series=Fish Physiology |volume=16 |title=Deep-Sea Fishes |publisher=Academic Press |year=1997 |isbn=0-12-350440-6 |page=344}}</ref> The fish faces into the current, waiting for prey to drift by.<ref>Hyde, N. Deep Sea Extremes. Crabtree Publishing Company, 2009. ISBN 0-7787-4501-5, p. 16; Winner, C. Life on the Edge. Lerner Publications, 2006. ISBN 0-8225-2499-6, p. 18; Gage, J.D., Tyler, P. A. Deep-sea biology: a natural history of organisms at the deep-sea floor. Cambridge University Press. 1992. ISBN 0-521-33665-1, p. 86</ref>
The tripodfish uses tactile and mechanosensory cues to identify food; it apparently does not have special visual adaptations to help it find food in the low-light environment. When the fish is perched with its long rays on the ocean floor, it can get food without even seeing it. The tripodfish's mouth ends up at just the right height to catch shrimp, tiny fish, and small crustaceans swimming by. They seem to prefer to perch on the mud using much elongated fin rays in their tails and two pelvic fins to stand, facing upstream into the current to ambush with the pectoral fins turned forward so the outthrust projecting fins resemble multiple antennae. The fish senses objects in the water with its front fins. These fins act like hands. Once they feel prey and realize it is edible, the fins knock the food into the fish's mouth.<ref name="hoar">{{cite book|last=Hoar |first=W.S. |author2=Randall, D.J.|author3=Conte, F.P. |series=Fish Physiology |volume=16 |title=Deep-Sea Fishes |publisher=Academic Press |year=1997 |isbn=0-12-350440-6 |page=344}}</ref> The fish faces into the current, waiting for prey to drift by.<ref>Hyde, N. Deep Sea Extremes. Crabtree Publishing Company, 2009. {{ISBN|0-7787-4501-5}}, p. 16; Winner, C. Life on the Edge. Lerner Publications, 2006. {{ISBN|0-8225-2499-6}}, p. 18; Gage, J.D., Tyler, P. A. Deep-sea biology: a natural history of organisms at the deep-sea floor. Cambridge University Press. 1992. {{ISBN|0-521-33665-1}}, p. 86</ref>

==Reproduction==
Each individual has male and female reproductive organs. If two tripodfish happen to meet, they mate. However, if a tripodfish does not find a partner, it makes both sperm and eggs to produce offspring by itself.<ref>Winner, C. Life on the Edge. Lerner Publications, 2006. {{ISBN|0-8225-2499-6}}, p. 18</ref>


==Related and similar species==
==Related and similar species==
There are at least eighteen species included in the genus ''[[Bathypterois]]''. Similar species are often observed in the same areas. A 2001 report included observations of ''[[Bathypterois dubius]]'' as far as 50 degrees north latitude in the Bay of Biscay.<ref>Trenkel VM, et al. First results of a quantitative study of deep-sea fish on the continental slope of the Bay of Biscay: visual observations and trawling. ICES CM 2001/L:18</ref>
At least 18 species included in the genus ''Bathypterois''. Similar species are often observed in the same areas. A 2001 report included observations of ''[[Bathypterois dubius]]'' as far as 50°N in the [[Bay of Biscay]].<ref>Trenkel VM, et al. First results of a quantitative study of deep-sea fish on the continental slope of the Bay of Biscay: visual observations and trawling. ICES CM 2001/L:18</ref>


There is a striking parallel between some ice fishes and the tripod fishes. Marshall drew attention to the similarities between tripod fish and one of the ice fish, [[Notothenioidei|Pagetopsis]], which was described by Robilliard and Dayton as perching on a sponge. The stance of [[Notothenioidei|Chionodraco]] is an even more striking parallel. Both ice fishes and the tripod fish use a similar strategy of sitting motionless above the substrate with the attendant benefits that motionlessness brings to a nonvisual, particularly mechanosensory, function.
A striking parallel exists between some [[Notothenioidei|icefishes]] and the tripodfishes. <!-- Marshall drew attention to the similarities between tripodfish and one of the icefish, ''[[Pagetopsis]]'', which was described by Robilliard and Dayton as perching on a sponge. --> The stance of ''[[Chionodraco]]'' is an even more striking parallel. Both icefishes and the tripodfish use a similar strategy of sitting motionless above the substrate with the attendant benefits that motionlessness brings to a nonvisual, particularly mechanosensory, function.


The tripod fish is closely related to the spider fish ''[[Bathypterois longifilis]]'', which is similar in appearances and habits but is smaller and has much shorter fin extensions. They are often found standing very close to each other.<ref name="hoar"/> The family to which both fish belong, Inopidae, is called the family of tripod fishes or spiderfishes interchangeably.
The tripodfish is closely related to the spider fish ''[[Bathypterois longifilis]]'', which is similar in appearances and habits but is smaller and has much shorter fin extensions. They are often found standing very close to each other.<ref name="hoar"/> The family to which both fish belong, Inopidae, is called the family of tripod fishes or spiderfishes interchangeably.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://australianmuseum.net.au/Spiderfish-Bathypterois-sp Australian Museum page on Tripod Fish]
*[http://australianmuseum.net.au/Spiderfish-Bathypterois-sp Australian Museum page on Tripodfish]
*[http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=9136 FishBase page on Tripod Fish]
*[http://www.snotr.com/video/5421 Video showing a tripodfish at 1443m depth]

*[http://www.snotr.com/video/5421 Video showing a tripod fish at 1443m depth]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q556906}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Tripod Fish}}
[[Category:Ipnopidae]]
[[Category:Ipnopidae]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1886]]

Latest revision as of 21:47, 28 November 2023

Tripodfish
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Aulopiformes
Family: Ipnopidae
Genus: Bathypterois
Species:
B. grallator
Binomial name
Bathypterois grallator
(Goode & T. H. Bean, 1886)

The tripod fish or tripod spiderfish, Bathypterois grallator, is a deep-sea benthic fish in the family Ipnopidae found at lower latitudes. It is now relatively well known from photographs and submersible observations, and seems to prefer to perch on the ooze using much elongated fin rays in the tail and two pelvic fins to stand, facing upstream with the pectoral fins turned forward so the outthrust projecting fin rays resemble multiple antennae, and are indeed used as tactile organs. B. grallator is hermaphroditic. At least 18 species are placed in the genus Bathypterois, several of which have similar appearance and behavior to B. grallator. B. grallator is the largest member of its genus, commonly exceeding a standard length of 30 cm (12 in)[1] and reaching up to 43.4 cm (17.1 in).[2]

Characteristics

[edit]

The tripodfish, sometimes referred to as the abyssal spiderfish, has long, bony rays that stick out below its tail fin and both pelvic fins. The fish's head-and-body is up to 43.4 cm (17.1 in) long,[2] but its fins can be more than 1 m (3 ft 3 in).[citation needed] Most of the time, the tripodfish stands on its three fins on the bottom of the ocean, hunting for food.[3] Even though the fins are presumably quite stiff, researchers have been successful in surprising the fish into swimming, and then the fins seem flexible. Scientists have suggested that fluids are pumped into these fins when the fish is 'standing' to make them more rigid.[4]

Habitat

[edit]

Bathypterois grallator has been found relatively widely in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans from 40°N to 40°S. It is a wide-ranging eurybathic fish found from 878 to 4,720 m (2,881 to 15,486 ft) deep.[3]

Food

[edit]

The tripodfish uses tactile and mechanosensory cues to identify food; it apparently does not have special visual adaptations to help it find food in the low-light environment. When the fish is perched with its long rays on the ocean floor, it can get food without even seeing it. The tripodfish's mouth ends up at just the right height to catch shrimp, tiny fish, and small crustaceans swimming by. They seem to prefer to perch on the mud using much elongated fin rays in their tails and two pelvic fins to stand, facing upstream into the current to ambush with the pectoral fins turned forward so the outthrust projecting fins resemble multiple antennae. The fish senses objects in the water with its front fins. These fins act like hands. Once they feel prey and realize it is edible, the fins knock the food into the fish's mouth.[5] The fish faces into the current, waiting for prey to drift by.[6]

Reproduction

[edit]

Each individual has male and female reproductive organs. If two tripodfish happen to meet, they mate. However, if a tripodfish does not find a partner, it makes both sperm and eggs to produce offspring by itself.[7]

[edit]

At least 18 species included in the genus Bathypterois. Similar species are often observed in the same areas. A 2001 report included observations of Bathypterois dubius as far as 50°N in the Bay of Biscay.[8]

A striking parallel exists between some icefishes and the tripodfishes. The stance of Chionodraco is an even more striking parallel. Both icefishes and the tripodfish use a similar strategy of sitting motionless above the substrate with the attendant benefits that motionlessness brings to a nonvisual, particularly mechanosensory, function.

The tripodfish is closely related to the spider fish Bathypterois longifilis, which is similar in appearances and habits but is smaller and has much shorter fin extensions. They are often found standing very close to each other.[5] The family to which both fish belong, Inopidae, is called the family of tripod fishes or spiderfishes interchangeably.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Bannerman, P.; Poss, S.; Russell, B.; Nunoo, F. (2015). "Bathypterois grallator". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T194992A15571915. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T194992A15571915.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Bathypterois grallator". FishBase. February 2017 version.
  3. ^ a b Jones, AT; KJ Sulak (1990). "First Central Pacific Plate and Hawaiian Record of the Deep-sea Tripod Fish Bathypterois grallator (Pisces: Chlorophthalmidae)" (PDF). Pacific Science. 44 (3): 254–7.
  4. ^ Tripod Fish; a fish with legs, Australian Geographic, 20 March 2014
  5. ^ a b Hoar, W.S.; Randall, D.J.; Conte, F.P. (1997). Deep-Sea Fishes. Fish Physiology. Vol. 16. Academic Press. p. 344. ISBN 0-12-350440-6.
  6. ^ Hyde, N. Deep Sea Extremes. Crabtree Publishing Company, 2009. ISBN 0-7787-4501-5, p. 16; Winner, C. Life on the Edge. Lerner Publications, 2006. ISBN 0-8225-2499-6, p. 18; Gage, J.D., Tyler, P. A. Deep-sea biology: a natural history of organisms at the deep-sea floor. Cambridge University Press. 1992. ISBN 0-521-33665-1, p. 86
  7. ^ Winner, C. Life on the Edge. Lerner Publications, 2006. ISBN 0-8225-2499-6, p. 18
  8. ^ Trenkel VM, et al. First results of a quantitative study of deep-sea fish on the continental slope of the Bay of Biscay: visual observations and trawling. ICES CM 2001/L:18
[edit]
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