Big Baikal oilfish (Comephorus baikalensis) fish species and information / pictures of Big Baikal oilfish - Comephorus baikalensis

Big Baikal oilfish (Comephorus baikalensis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Comephorus baikalensis

Common Name
Big Baikal oilfish

Biology
Prefers deep waters but the females and occasionally the males may be found on the surface. Depth of distribution in January and February is 150-250 m; 100-120 m in March and April. Feeds mainly on the amphipod Macrohectopus branickii. Spawns in July to October. Fat content of the body is about 25%. The dead fish does not sink but float up to the surface and freeze into ice. In spring, they are cast ashore by the waves (Ref. 26334).

Classification

Classified By
Pallas, 1776
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)
Family
Baikal oilfishes (Comephoridae)

Distribution

Region
Europe
Distribution
Europe: Lake Baikal.
Range
Unknown

Environment

Climate
Boreal
Water Temperature From
4 °C
Water Temperature To
18 °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
1600 m
Zone
pelagic
Environment
Freshwater; pelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 1600 m (Ref. 26334)
Trophic Level
3.285 s.e. 0.53 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
21.0 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Unknown
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (36 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=5; K=0.25)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated