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A larval Louvar (Lavarus imperialis), Gulf of Mexico
The Louvar (Lavarus imperialis) has an oddly shaped larval stage with a rostrum that hints at what these fish look like as adults (Google it, strange fish). On this latest research cruise, we found two juveniles. The top individual had some damage on the way up, the bottom specimen is in mint condition. The species is mesopelagic and epipelagic – found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans in tropical and subtropical waters. This is part of the DEEPEND-RESTORE Project (www.deependconsortium.org). All the work has been done out on the RV Point Sur with an amazing captain and crew. A big thanks to CSA and Gray Lawson for management of the MOCNESS system. My participation is by way of the Center for Conservation & Research, San Antonio Zoo.
The louvar or luvar is a species of perciform fish, the only extant species in the genus ''Luvarus'' and family Luvaridae. It is closely related to the surgeonfish. The juvenile form has a pair of spines near the base of the tail, like the surgeonfish, though they are lost in the adult.
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