New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine 🌡️ Deep-water

Blackhead strainer snailfish

Rhodichthys melanocephalus Andriashev & Chernova, 2011
Max Length
10.4 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
1470–1695 m
Climate
Deep-water
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
17.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

Blackhead strainer snailfish (Rhodichthys melanocephalus) is a ray-finned fish. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 10.4 cm. It occurs at depths between 1470 and 1695 metres. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms.

Scientific Name
Rhodichthys melanocephalus
Authority
Andriashev & Chernova, 2011
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Deep-water
Body Shape
Elongated
Max Length
10.4 cm
Depth Range
1470–1695 m
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
17.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Genus
Rhodichthys
Rhodichthys
Species
Blackhead strainer snailfish
Rhodichthys melanocephalus

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 54 - 58; Vertebrae: 62 - 66. This species is distinguished by the following characters: vertebrae 62-66; D 54-58 (3-5 anterior rays short); pectoral-fin rays, 11-14 in upper lobe, 4-7 rudimentary rays in notch, 2-3 in lower lobe; preanal length 36.3-37.4% SL; head 25.3-27.6% SL; postorbital distance (from posterior margin of eye to tip of operculum) large, 14.3-15.5% SL; teeth sharp, closely set and distinctly prominent, with some of posterior teeth much larger than others; posterior margin of gill cover emarginated between rigid ends of gill rays; head and anterior part of body brownish-black; gill cavity and mouth black .: elongated; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Blackhead strainer snailfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

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

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 1470 - 1695 m . Deep-water Arctic Ocean: Norwegian Sea.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water
Trophic Level
3.4±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00525 × L3.15 (TL)
Max TL
10.4cm
Dorsal Rays
56
Vertebrae
64

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
17.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Deep-water
Described By
Andriashev & Chernova, 2011

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Blackhead strainer snailfish ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.