Scopelarchus michaelsarsi Koefoed, 1955
Bigfin pearleye
photo by SFSA

Family:  Scopelarchidae (Pearleyes)
Max. size:  10.15 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 256 - 500 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Atlantic, Indian and Pacific: in tropical and subtropical waters; widespread between 30°N to 0° in the eastern Atlantic, unknown from the Gulf of Guinea/Benguela Current area. Does not occur in the Mediterranean Sea and in the eastern Pacific east of 150°W.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-21. Medial face of pectorals with dense black pigment (Ref. 6601).
Biology:  Oceanic and mesopelagic (Ref. 6601, 58302). Most adults are taken in hauls to depths exceeding 500 m, none in hauls to depths less than 250 m. Larvae are taken year-round throughout its range, chiefly in hauls to depths less than 200 and apparently not in hauls restricted to the upper 100 m (Ref. 10755). Adults are presumed to prey on other midwater fishes. Synchronous hermaphrodites (Ref. 6691).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 July 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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