Velvet whalefish (Barbourisia rufa) fish species and information / pictures of Velvet whalefish - Barbourisia rufa

Velvet whalefish (Barbourisia rufa) fish species information

Scientific Name
Barbourisia rufa

Common Name
Velvet whalefish

Biology
Dorsal spines : 0; Dorsal soft rays : 19-22; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 15 - 18. Mouth large, maxillary extending far beyond eye Lower jaw projecting beyond the upper. Teeth on both jaws broad villiform bands. Body and each fin with minute spinules, the surface velvety to the touch. Lateral line opening as distinct pores.

Classification

Classified By

Parr, 1945

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Whalefishes (Cetomimiformes)

Family

Velvet whalefishes (Barbourisiidae)

Distribution

Region

Throughout the world ocean in tropical and temperate latitudes (Ref. 9842). Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Throughout the world ocean in tropical and temperate latitudes. Eastern Atlantic: one specimen from off Cape Bojador south of the Canary Islands; unrecorded specimens taken between Guinea and Angola. Western Atlantic: Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Western Indian Ocean: off Madagascar. Eastern Pacific: one specimen captured off northern central California, USA. Western Pacific: Japan to New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

120 m

Depth To - meters

2000 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 120 - 2000 m

Trophic Level

3.3 s.e. 0.41 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

39.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)

Resilience

Unknown

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated