Pacific scabbardfish (Lepidopus fitchi)

Scientific name: Lepidopus fitchi Rosenblatt & Wilson, 1987

Pacific scabbardfish (Lepidopus fitchi)

The Pacific scabbardfish (Lepidopus fitchi) is a marine fish of the family Trichiuridae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Cape Kiwanda, Oregon, USA to the Gulf of California; then from 5?N to southern Peru.

Biology

Dorsal soft rays (total): 78-87; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 41 - 50; Vertebrae: 84 - 93. Upper head profile slightly convex, rising gently from snout to dorsal-fin origin. Orbits nearly touching dorsal profile; interorbital space slightly concave. Pelvic fins reduced to 1 scale-like spine and 1 - 2 tiny rays. Pyloric caeca 16 - 18. Color of body is black or brown with a silvery shine along the abdomen.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lepidopus fitchi
Family
Trichiuridae (Cutlassfishes)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
210
Common length
150
Depth range
100–500 m (328–1640 ft)
Environment
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 100 - 500 m, usually 100 - 250 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: Cape Kiwanda, Oregon, USA to the Gulf of California; then from 5?N to southern Peru.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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.

Last updated