Why is bony-eared assfish called that?

It was described in 1878 by German ichthyologist Albert Gxfcnther, who gave the species its scientific name. Armatus means armed in Latin, likely chosen because the fish sports spines off the tip of the nose and the gills

Is the bony-eared assfish real?

In 1887, German ichthyologist Albert Gxfcnther bestowed the species with its scientific name, Acanthonus armatus, which may offer a clue to how its common name of bony-eared assfish came about. Armatus, which means armed in Latin, was likely chosen because the fish sports spines off the tip of the nose and the gills.

How big is a bony-eared assfish brain?

In a study of the ass-fish’s brain (better than a study of the brain-fish’s ass!) researchers found a 40 gram fish with a brain weighing less than 30 mg. That’s less than 1/1000th of the body weight! For comparison, a human brain weighs about 1400 grams.

Who discovered bony-eared assfish?

ichthyologist Albert Gxfcnther

Why is it called the bony-eared assfish?

These spikes on the head of the assfish could be considered bones, which would make this fish bony-eared. If you choose to note those spikes, this part of the name is not that strange. However, even though onus means hake, it also means a donkey.

Why is the bony-eared assfish called that?

In fact, it is an official name of the species Acanthonus armatus. Bony-eared assfish is a cusk-eel found in tropical and sub-tropical oceans. It lives quite deep at around 1,171-4,415 metres below the surface.

How did the bony eared fish get its name?

These spikes on the head of the assfish could be considered bones, which would make this fish bony-eared. If you choose to note those spikes, this part of the name is not that strange. However, even though onus means hake, it also means a donkey.