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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Deep-water

Bluefin driftfish

Psenes pellucidus Lütken, 1880
Max Length
80 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.9
Depth
-
Climate
Deep-water
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
46.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

Oceanic species . Associated with jellyfish and floating weed patches . Large adults may be benthic on continental slopes . Feeds on zooplankton and small pelagic fishes .

Scientific Name
Psenes pellucidus
Authority
Lütken, 1880
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Deep-water
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
80 cm
Trophic Level
3.9
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
46.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Scombriformes
Scombriformes
Family
Nomeidae
Nomeidae
Genus
Psenes
Psenes
Species
Bluefin driftfish
Psenes pellucidus

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 33; Anal spines: 2 - 3; Anal soft rays: 26 - 33; Vertebrae: 40 - 44. Adults dark brown to deep purple in color; eye dark blue. Young translucent with brown spots; first dorsal fin dark .Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Bluefin driftfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Bluefin driftfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Bluefin driftfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathypelagic; depth range ? - 1000 m . Deep-water; 42°N - 24°N

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water
Trophic Level
3.9±0.53
Food Items

zooplankton and small pelagic fishes (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01995 × L3.01 (TL)
Max TL
80cm
Dorsal Spines
12
Dorsal Rays
30
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
30
Vertebrae
42

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2013

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
46.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.9
Predator
Climate Zone
Deep-water
Described By
Lütken, 1880

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Bluefin driftfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 3.28 g
Omega-3 (total) 173 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Bluefin driftfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Caristioides amplipinnis Whitley 1948 Synonym
Cubiceps ismaelensis Dieuzeide & Roland 1955 Synonym
Cubiceps niger Nümann 1958 Synonym
Icticus ischanus Jordan & Thompson 1914 Synonym
Papyrichthys pellucidus Lütken 1880 Synonym
Psenes edwardsii Eigenmann 1901 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 18 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Bluefin driftfish ↗
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