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Cubiceps caeruleus Regan, 1914 Blue fathead |
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photo by
Villalba, D.O. |
| Family: | Nomeidae (Driftfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 28.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 4 years | |||
| Environment: | pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 20 - 250 m | |||
| Distribution: | South Atlantic and Pacific. Western Central Atlantic: Also reported in Nicaragua (Ref. 13613), Uruguay (Ref. 2806), and Peru (Ref. 5530). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-27; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 21-24; Vertebrae: 31-31. Pale to dark blue-grey, back darker than sides; caudal fin dark, other fins clear (Ref. 4412). | |||
| Biology: | Feeds mainly on salps. May be caught using a pelagic trawler (Ref. 33689). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 May 2013 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||