Desmodema polystictum (Ogilby, 1898)
Polka-dot ribbonfish
Desmodema polystictum
photo by Khan, M.M.

 Family:  Trachipteridae (Ribbonfishes)
 Max. size:  110 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  bathypelagic; depth range 0 - 500 m
 Distribution:  Western Pacific: Japan, Taiwan (Ref. 5193), Philippines, Australia, New Zealand (Ref. 5755). Eastern Atlantic: 16°11'N (ISH unpublished) to Namibia (Ref. 4506) and South Africa (one specimen washed ashore at Xora River and 1 found in the tide pool at Simonstown, False Bay). Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and Cuba (Ref. 7251). Northern Indian Ocean: 2 records from Pakistan and India (Ref. 93850; Ref. 93851). Probably circumtropical.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 120-128. Specimens less than 10 cm are silvery in color with many dark spots (Ref. 2713).
 Biology:  Epi- (Ref. 58302) and mesopelagic species (Ref. 4506). Feeds upon various organisms like small fish, squids, octopus, and crustaceans (Ref. 4525).
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Froese, Rainer - 01.05.91
 Modified by: Ortañez, Auda Kareen - 09.07.07
 Checked by: Garilao, Cristina V. - 02.01.97

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