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Blackmouth bass (Synagrops bellus) — Acropomatidae

Blackmouth bass

Synagrops bellus
Family: Acropomatidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackmouth bass (Synagrops bellus) is a saltwater fish of the family Acropomatidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–910.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blackmouth bass is a slender, silvery deep-water bass of the family Acropomatidae (lanternbellies) reaching about 23 cm. The streamlined body has large eyes, two separate dorsal fins and a black mouth lining, from which the species takes its name; many lanternbellies have light organs. The species lives close to the bottom of the deeper continental shelf and slope of the Atlantic on both sides, usually at several hundred metres. There it hunts small fish, crustaceans and squid. Because of its deep lifestyle and small size it is rarely seen and has little commercial importance, though it comes up as bycatch of the deep-sea fishery.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackmouth bass?

The Blackmouth bass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blackmouth bass live?

The Blackmouth bass lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Blackmouth bass get?

The Blackmouth bass grows to a maximum of about 23 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Blackmouth bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackmouth bass is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackmouth bass edible?

The Blackmouth bass is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartbek-diepzeebaars inferred
English name
Blackmouth bass verified
Scientific name
Synagrops bellus
Family
Acropomatidae
Other names
Blackmouth bass; Sea bass verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Min depth (m)
60.0 verified
Max depth (m)
910.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Synagrops

More from the family Acropomatidae

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