Blackfin soapfish (Rypticus nigripinnis)

Scientific name: Rypticus nigripinnis Gill, 1861

The Blackfin soapfish (Rypticus nigripinnis) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Gulf of California (rare at Puerto Pe?asco) to northern Peru.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-28; Anal soft rays: 14 - 18; Vertebrae: 24. Sides of body heavily marked with well-defined cream spots on dark background, extending onto head, cheeks and median fins; larger spots frequently ocellated; belly with articulated pattern, cream stripe on nape; dark band running laterally from lips to eye and continuing posteriorly to blend into background anterior to dorsal fin. Body and head, excluding lips and maxillary, with embedded scales. Dorsal spines 2 (rarely 3). Lower jaw not much projecting, lacking fleshy protuberance. Juvenile and adult with 4 large, distinct oval pores along preopercular margin and 4 pairs on ventral surface of lower jaw, except in > 6.5 cm SL specimens, most posterior pair may be divided into a few smaller pores.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Rypticus nigripinnis
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 20.3
Depth range: 3–60 m (10–197 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 60 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California (rare at Puerto Pe?asco) to northern Peru.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: potential
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)