Oreosoma atlanticum


Oreosoma atlanticum, also known as the ox-eyed oreo, is a species of oreo found in oceanic deep waters. It is the only known member of its genus. Although adults are more similar in shape to other oreos, the juveniles have a distinctive plating/armor in their skin, which is spiked and probably makes them harder to eat for any hostile creature. Adults lack that plating, and, as other oreos, they have a protractile mouth and very large eyes, with small scales.

Description

This species grows to a length of. The adults are deep bodied and laterally compressed with a strongly humped back They have a small head with large eyes.
The juveniles are dark grey or black in colour with rounded white blotches. Their fins are translucent. They have a rounded stomach with two rows of cone-shaped protrusions. They have another four rows of similar protrusions along their backs. These projections make them highly distinctive.

Distribution and habitat

This species is found at depths of.