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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Deep-water

Banded cucumberfish

Paraulopus balteatus Gomon, 2010
Max Length
32 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.2
Depth
300–800 m
Climate
Deep-water
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

The absence from trawl collections may infer that this species may prefer hard-bottom habitat, which is usually avoided by trawl fishers. Also, the fact that this species are taken with hook and line suggests that it is carnivorous. Individuals probably rest on their substantial pelvic fins waiting for potential prey to come to them, a behaviour common to a number of other members of the order .

Scientific Name
Paraulopus balteatus
Authority
Gomon, 2010
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Deep-water
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
32 cm
Depth Range
300–800 m
Trophic Level
4.2
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 48. This species is distinguished by the following characters: A 8-9; pectoral fin rays 19; vertebrae 48; predorsal scales 19-24; scales above lateral line 5.5; pelvic fin large, length 22.8-28.4% SL, larger in males than females, inner lobe much shorter than outer lobe, ratio of lengths of outer lobe to inner 1.7-2.1; two prominent broad brown bands posterior to dorsal fin on sides of body; broad black marginal stripe covering distal third of dorsal fin with distinct broad white submarginal stripe; distal third of upper lobe of caudal fin with white marginal band and black submarginal band, while ventral lobe with black marginal band; buccal cavity pigmented black forward to jaws; males with black anal fin margin anteriorly and distally, females lack dark margins .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Banded cucumberfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 300 - 800 m . Deep-water Southwest Pacific: Tasman Sea at 30°35°S, from Browns Mount southeast of Botany Bay, New South Wales, to the Three Kings Ridge just north of the northern boundary of New Zealand’s EEZ.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water 🐟 Pelagic
Trophic Level
4.2±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00389 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
32cm
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Rays
9
Vertebrae
48

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
29.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.2
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Deep-water
Described By
Gomon, 2010

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