596 
SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 
Genus RHODICHTHYS. 
Body tadpole-like , with fairly deep and broad head and strongly compressed tail , 
the great median height of the vertical fins , the margins of which evenly but sharply converge 
fin , which is united at the base to the dorsal and anal fins, but for the greater part of its length free, 
fins filamentous, bifid in the outer part, and inserted 
Anal aperture situated, in front of the pectoral fins, 
able distance from the beginning of the anal fin. 
lower jaw; vomer and palatine bones toothless. 
the naked skin transparent. 
This genus is one of the most handsome discoveries 
made in the depths of the sea by the Norwegian Arctic 
Expedition. The form of the body reminds us strongly 
enough of the Great Forked Beard; but the loose, al- 
most gelatinous, and naked, almost transparent body 
most nearly resembles that of the other true deep-sea 
fishes within the Ophidioid family. According to Col- 
lett the ventral fins are “firmly united to the hyoid 
bone'' — the genus is thus referred to this subfamily — 
but according to the figure these fins are set compara- 
tively far back, considerably further back than in a true 
Ophidium, and Lilljeborg says they are “attached to 
the shoulder-girdle. " In the latter case the genus ought 
which is increased in depth by 
towards the caudal 
Ventral 
beloiv the posterior part of the copular row of the hyoid bone, 
between the lower corners of the gill-openings, at a consider- 
Small, cardiform teeth on the intermaxillary bones and in the 
Branchiostegal rays 6. Pyloric appendages 10. No scales; 
No spines on the head. 
rather to be ranged among the subfamily Brotulince. 
In the form of the body too, as Lilljeborg has already 
remarked, it comes very near Bathyonus, one of the 
Brotulince: but the opercular spine and the scales are 
wanting, and in Bathyonus the vent is situated close 
to the beginning of the anal fin. The limit between 
these subfamilies is, however, rather uncertain, fixed 
as it is according to a character which is an expres- 
sion for the general rule among the Physoclysts that 
the ventral fins move forward with increasing age and 
advancing development of form. 
Only one species of the genus is known. 
THE ROSE FISH (sw. kosenfisken). 
EIIODIC HTH YS REGINA . 
Fig. 142. 
Length of the head {in a male nearly 3 dm. long ) about 1 / i of that of the body. Greatest depth of the body about 
1 / 5 of its length and almost equal to the distance between the vent and the tip of the snout. Breadth straight 
across the cheeks greater than the postorbital length of the head and about 3 / 5 of the entire length of the head. 
Breadth of the interorbital space about s / 5 of the entire length of the head and about 3 / i of the postorbital length 
thereof. Outer diameter of the iris 1 / 7 of the entire length of the head and somewhat more than 1 / 4 of the post- 
orbital length of the head or than i / 9 of the length of the snout. Mouth broad, both terminal and lateral; the 
maxillary bones extend somewhat behind the perpendicular from the hind margin of the iris. Lower jaw shorter 
in front than the upper jaw. Nostrils set far apart, the posterior pair separated from the eyes by a distance equal 
to the diameter of the latter, the anterior pair about, half-way between, the posterior and the tip of the snout. Height 
of the gill-openings equal to the breadth across the cheeks. Distance between the dorsal fin and the tip of the snout 
slightly greater than the length of the head and about 4 / 5 of the distance between the anal fin and the same point. 
Greatest, height of the dorsal fin 3 / 10 of the depth of the body at the beginning of the fin; greatest height of the 
anal fin 3 / 10 of the depth of the body at the beginning of the fin. Depth, of the base, of the caudal fin rather 
more than l / 3 of the diameter of the iris. Length of the caudal fin equal to the breadth of the interorbital space. 
Length of the pectoral fins about equal, to the postorbital length of the head. Length of the ventral fins about equal 
to the distance between the anal fin and the tip of the snout. Coloration dark carnation, with a few lighter, clouded 
spots; branchiostegal membranes deep crimson; peritoneum, branchial cavity, and pharynx black. 
R. hr. 6; I). GO; A. 57; P. 11 1. 12; C. 10. 154, tab. V, figg. 37 — 39; Lillj., Sv., Norg. Fisk., vol. 
Syn. Rhodichthys regina, Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1878, II, p. 238; Gthr, Deep Sea Fish., Oh all. Exped., p. 
No. 14, p. 99; N. Nordh. Exped., Zool. , Fiske, p. 121. 
