Scientific Name
Cottunculus granulosus

Common Name
Fathead

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12; Vertebrae: 29. Diagnosis: Interorbital region concave with the side borders strong and higher. Vomerine teeth well-developed. Bony plates on head and body widely scattered, each with several prickles. Head spines are prominent, suborbital spines distinct and in three paired sets, Lateral line pores on body not emerging in distinct tubes (Ref. 55609). Color pattern on body varies, with or without three irregular brownish bands (Ref. 27363).

Classification

Classified By

Karrer, 1968

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Fatheads (Psychrolutidae)

Distribution

Region

Southwest Atlantic

Distribution

Southwest Atlantic: Argentina to southern Brazil. Southeast Pacific: Chile. Two forms are suggested, banded and plain colored.

Range

38°S - 55°S

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

150 m

Depth To - meters

1250 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 150 - 1250 m (Ref. 55609)

Trophic Level

3.39 s.e. 0.41 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

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

21.7 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5039 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (42 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated