Blunt scalyhead
📖 Overview
Most common in shallower waters of the continental shelf, especially on banks less than 250 m deep in areas where local upwellings increase food supply . Juveniles are found near the surface, often in association with Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) swarms. Feed on salps, nudibranchs, amphipods, copepods, polychaetes, krill, crustaceans, chaetognaths, and fish . According to FAO statistics, significant catch was reported only in the years 1988 to 1991
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 36 - 38; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 34 - 36; Vertebrae: 54 - 57. Second dorsal-fin rays 0-3 more than anal-fin rays. Preopercular-mandibular canal with 10 pores; infraorbital canal with 6-8 pores; supra-orbital canal with 4 pores; coronal commissure with a single median pore; temporal canal with 5-6 pores; supratemporal canal complete wit 3 pores. Body and head almost entirely scaled, including snout, preorbitals, posterior part of maxilla, lower jaw, isthmus, branchiostegal membranes and proximal parts of branchiostegal rays. Color: In alcohol, ground color buff, with a chequered pattern formed by staggered dark blotches along the dorsal, lateral and ventral parts of the body; ventral dark blotches may appear as short wavy horizontal dark marks. Snout, occipital region and sometimes interorbital area are dark.: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blunt scalyhead is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Mature females may spawn for the first time from around 7-9 years of age .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 70 - 650 m . Polar; 60°S - 78°S South Orkney.
🌿 Ecology
salps, nudibranchs, amphipods, copepods, polychaetes, krill, crustaceans, chaetognaths, and fish (Re
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blunt scalyhead is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 384 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blunt scalyhead has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blunt scalyhead |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pseudotrematomus eulepidotus | Regan | 1914 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 12 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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