Philippine frostfish (Benthodesmus suluensis)

Scientific name: Benthodesmus suluensis Parin, 1976

The Philippine frostfish (Benthodesmus suluensis) is a marine fish of the family Trichiuridae. Native range: Western Central Pacific, Sulu Sea between the Philippines and Sabah, Malaysia.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 36 - 39; Dorsal soft rays (total): 92-99; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 86 - 92; Vertebrae: 133 - 137. Body silvery, jaws and opercle blackish. The inside of the mouth and gill cavities black.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Benthodesmus suluensis
Family: Trichiuridae (Cutlassfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 18.0
Depth range: 200–500 m (656–1640 ft)
Environment: Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 200 - 500 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Western Central Pacific: Sulu Sea between the Philippines and Sabah, Malaysia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tmax>3)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026