Scientific Name
Phycis phycis

Common Name
Forkbeard

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. Elongated pelvic-fin rays reaching at most to the origin of the anal fin. Body color is brownish-red dorsally, becoming paler ventrally. Vertical fins distally dark, sometimes with a pale margin.

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1766

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cods (Gadiformes)

Family

Phycid hakes (Phycidae)

Distribution

Region

Northeast Atlantic

Distribution

Northeast Atlantic : Bay of Biscay to Morocco, south to Cape Verde, and including off-lying islands. Also in the Mediterranean and the Azores.

Range

45°N - 13°N, 32°W - 36°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

13 m

Depth To - meters

614 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; benthopelagic; non-migratory; depth range 13 - 614 m (Ref. 4517), usually 100 - 200 m (Ref. 1371)

Trophic Level

4.26 s.e. 0.74 Based on diet studies.

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

65.0 cm

Common Length

25.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6255 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (51 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.19)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated