Scientific Name
Anoplopoma fimbria

Common Name
Sablefish

Biology
Adults found on mud bottoms, from 305 (Ref. 2850) to 2,740 m depth (Ref. 2850). Young-of-the-year juveniles are pelagic and found on the surface and near-shore waters (Ref. 28499). Generally localized, but some juveniles have been found to migrate over 2,000 miles in 6 or 7 years (Ref. 28499). Feed on crustaceans, worms and small fishes (Ref. 4925). Most of the catch is marketed in Japan (Ref. 28499). Utilized fresh, dried or salted and smoked (Ref. 9988), can be steamed, pan-fried, broiled, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988). The liver oil is rich in vitamin A and D (Ref. 4925). Reported to reach 57 kg in Ref. 2850. The US North Pacific sablefish fishery of this species has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (http://www.msc.org/) as well-managed and sustainable (http://www.msc.org/html/content_1268.htm).

Classification

Classified By

Pallas, 1814

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Sablefishes (Anoplopomatidae)

Distribution

Region

North Pacific

Distribution

North Pacific: Bering Sea coasts of Kamchatka, Russia and Alaska southward to Hatsu Shima Island, southern Japan and Cedros Island, central Baja California, Mexico.

Range

64°N - 23°N, 141°E - 109°W

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

2740 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 2740 m (Ref. 6793)

Trophic Level

3.83 s.e. 0.61 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

120 cm

Common Length

80.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.2500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: likely future use; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (49 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.2; tm=6; Fec=100,000; tmax=114)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated