Harriotta avia

Harriotta avia, the Australasian narrow-nosed spookfish, is a type of chimaera of the family Rhinochimaeridae identified from several specimens found in New Zealand, Southwest Pacific Ocean. Its distribution range is now believed to be New Zealand and Australia.

Description

Harriotta avia is distinguished from its congeners by several characteristics, including elongated slender trunk, slim rod-like pelvic claspers, dorsal spin going beyond the dorsal fin's apex, and long thin snout up to 56% of its body diagonal length. Its body color is mainly chocolate brownish if the skin is intact. This species maximum total length is around 107.5 cm for female specimens and 95.7 cm for male specimens.

Distribution and habitat

It is suggested that Harriotta avia lives at a depth of 260–1278 m, although 400–1000 m might be a closer possibility.