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Deepsea bass

Bathysphyraenops simplex
Family: Howellidae
LC · Least Concern

The Deepsea bass (Bathysphyraenops simplex) is a saltwater fish of the family Howellidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Open ocean; deep pelagic water layers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The deepsea bass is a perch-like deep-sea fish whose family placement is uncertain. The species has a slender, silvery body with large eyes, adapted to the dim deep water of the open ocean. It lives pelagically in the deep water layers, far from the coast. It feeds on small zooplankton and small crustaceans that it captures in the water column. Owing to its deep habitat, little is known about its biology. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepsea bass?

The Deepsea bass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large-eyed pelagic deep-sea bass with uncertain family placement; biology little known.

Where does the Deepsea bass live?

The Deepsea bass lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Open ocean; deep pelagic water layers.

How big does the Deepsea bass get?

The Deepsea bass grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Deepsea bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepsea bass is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Deepsea bass edible?

The Deepsea bass is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Deepsea bass sourced
Scientific name
Bathysphyraenops simplex
Family
Howellidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
100.0 verified
Max depth (m)
500.0 verified
Natural range
Open ocean; deep pelagic water layers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Large-eyed pelagic deep-sea bass with uncertain family placement; biology little known. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Howellidae

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