Southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis) fish species and information / pictures of Southern blue whiting - Micromesistius australis

Southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Micromesistius australis

Common Name
Southern blue whiting

Biology
Invades shelf waters during summer and concentrating over the continental slope in winter. Forms schools (Ref. 9072). The young feed on euphausiids and amphipods and occasionally on copepods, cephalopods and small fish. Utilized in frozen blocks and as fishmeal. In Japan used as suerii (minced meat) for karaoke (fish cake) (Ref. 27363). Can be fried, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).

Classification

Classified By

Norman, 1937

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cods (Gadiformes)

Family

Cods and haddocks (Gadidae)

Distribution

Region

There are 2 disjunct populations. Micromesistius australis australis occurs around the Falkland Islands and Argentine Patagonia in the southwest Atlantic; off Chile in the southeast Pacific; also off South Georgia, South Shetland and South Orkney islands. Micromesistius australis pallidus occurs around the South Island of New Zealand.

Distribution

Range

37°S - 65°S, 165°E - 34°W

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

50 m

Depth To - meters

900 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; benthopelagic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 50 - 900 m (Ref. 27363), usually 200 - 400 m (Ref. 7061)

Trophic Level

3.79 s.e. 0.62 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

90.0 cm

Common Length

60.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (52 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.18; tm=2-5; tmax=30)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated