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🌊 Marine 🌡️ Subtropical

New Zealand giant sawbelly

Hoplostethus melanopeza Roberts & Gomon, 2012
Max Length
51.5 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
3.7
Depth
250–400 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
71.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Inhabits continental slopes, seamounts and submarine rises with collection depths recorded between about 140 and 760 m, but most often 250-400 m .

Scientific Name
Hoplostethus melanopeza
Authority
Roberts & Gomon, 2012
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Max Length
51.5 cm
Depth Range
250–400 m
Trophic Level
3.7
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
71.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 3 - 10. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 15 pectoral-fin rays, rarely 13, 14 or 16; 18-21 total gill rakers on outer side of first arch; 9-12 abdominal scutes, some scutes in large individuals with multiple apical points; 16-22 predorsal scales; isthmus lacking scales; body scales adherent; lateral–line scales with strong medial ridge, but no spine in small and medium sized adults, with strong spine centrally on posterior margin in large adults; scales on predorsal midline forming low raised ridge; body ovoid and deep, depth 1.9-2.1 in SL; nape gently curved, forehead almost straight to above upper lip; dorsal- and anal-fin spines of moderate thickness; body of adults grey, superimposed with deep red in life, outer margin of all fins with narrow black edge in adults; buccal cavity and opercular recess black, vomer, margins of mouth roof lateral to palatines, underside of tongue and upper surface of lower jaw stark white .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for New Zealand giant sawbelly is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for New Zealand giant sawbelly is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for New Zealand giant sawbelly is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 250 - 400 m . Subtropical; 33°S - 37°S South Pacific: sub-tropical and temperate latitudes of the Tasman and South Fiji Basins; SE Australian slopes on the west to the outer Bay of Plenty and southern Kermadec Ridge at the north end of the North Island in New Zealand in the east.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🐟 Pelagic
Trophic Level
3.7±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0166 × L3.05 (TL)
Max TL
51.5cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
13
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
7

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
71.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.7
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Roberts & Gomon, 2012

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