Crested oarfish


The crested oarfish, is a species of crestfish in the family Lophotidae, and is an oceanodromous fish ranging from waters 0–92 meters deep, but may get stranded in shallow waters.

Distribution and habitat

The crested oarfish lives in warm seas, near areas such as the Western Atlantic, Western Indian Ocean, Eastern Atlantic, and the Eastern Pacific, in the oceanic and mesopelagic zone.

Description and ecology

They have a maximum length up to 200 centimeters in length, but are often are only 100 centimeters in length. It has an ink sack near the cloaca, and discharges ink out of it when it fells alarmed. Its prey are squids, and fishes such as anchovies, and is oviparous, with it laying planktonic eggs.

Conservation

The crested oarfish are likely found in marine protected areas, and have no specific conservation measures in place, and no specific threats to them, the IUCN Red List lists this as a least concern species.

Synonymised names

Placed by the WoRMS.