Bigscale deepsea smelt (Melanolagus bericoides) fish species and information / pictures of Bigscale deepsea smelt - Melanolagus bericoides

Bigscale deepsea smelt (Melanolagus bericoides) fish species information

Scientific Name
Melanolagus bericoides

Common Name
Bigscale deepsea smelt

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18 - 23; Vertebrae: 48 - 54. More than two eyes; anal fin base longer than caudal peduncle; swim bladder absent; branchiostegal rays, two on each side; pectoral fins originating close to ventral surface of the body. Head and body black when fresh; scale pocket markings jet black (Ref. 13608). Branchiostegal rays: 2 (Ref. 35604). Also Ref. 41299.

Classification

Classified By

Borodin, 1929

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Smelts (Osmeriformes)

Family

Deep-sea smelts (Bathylagidae)

Distribution

Region

Atlantic, Indian and Pacific

Distribution

Atlantic, Indian and Pacific: widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters. Eastern Pacific: California Current region (Ref. 35604).

Range

71°N - 58°S, 180°W - 180°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

1700 m

Zone

bathyalpelagic

Environment

Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 0 - 1700 m (Ref. 58302)

Trophic Level

3.4 s.e. 0.45 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

20.0 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

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (50 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated