Flathead (Bembrops morelandi)

Scientific name: Bembrops morelandi Nelson, 1978

The Flathead (Bembrops morelandi) is a marine fish of the family Percophidae. Native range: Southwest Pacific, known only from New Zealand.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal soft rays: 16 - 17. Color in alcohol yellowish gray dorsally, slightly lighter ventrally. Snout relatively long, 1.8x eye diameter. Scales present on lateral and dorsal sides of snout. Upper jaw extending behind anterior margin of eye, almost to the mid-line. Maxillary tentacle long. Lateral line rising sharply above pectoral fin at base for 2-2.5 scale rows and then descending gradually along length of pectoral fin, separated from origin of first dorsal fin by 2 rows of scales, from origin of anal fin by 5, and from insertion of anal fin by 3. First spine of the first dorsal fin prolonged, even in a relatively small specimen. Predorsal length (to first dorsal fin) almost equal to head length. Pectoral fin rounded (Ref 13203).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Bembrops morelandi
Family
Percophidae (Duckbills)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
20.7
Depth range
366–395 m (1201–1296 ft)
Environment
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 366 - 395 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Southwest Pacific: known only from New Zealand.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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