The Blackbelly Rosefish

selim12 January 31, 2024 0 Comments

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The Blackbelly Rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus) is a species of fish found in the Atlantic Ocean belonging to the subfamily Sebastinae which is classified within the family Scorpaenidae. It has cryptic coloration!

Table of Contents

Where Do They Live:

They are found in the Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and parts of the Western Atlantic on sandy seafloor. They are found in depths between 50 to 1100 meters.

Appearance and size:

The Blackbelly Rosefish gets its name from its distinctive appearance. It has a reddish-pink body with a distinct black spot at the base of its pectoral fin, which gives it its “blackbelly” name. This black spot is a notable and unique feature of the species.

Males are larger than females of the same age in weight(1550) and length(25 cm) It has a large head without tentacles! Her mouth is dark inside. The dorsal fin has 11 to 13 spines.

The anal fin has 3 spines and five rays! They have 25 spinal columns! They have variable colors.

The back and sides are red and the belly is pink, with 5 to 6 dark bands below the anterior, middle, and posterior dorsal spines.

Diet Of The Blackbelly Rosefish:

They have an eclectic appetite, savoring both benthic and pelagic delicacies, relishing decapod crustaceans, fishes, and cephalopods, occasionally indulging in pyrosomes, polychaetes, and even the occasional echinoderm.

Reproduction & LifeCycle Of The Blackbelly Rosefish:

They are produced through internal fertilization. Eggs are released into the seabed at different stages,permatozoa were discovered predominantly in the tranquil abodes of ovaries, from the balmy months of July through the peak days of early December. The females can store sperm within their ovaries which allows them to spawn multiple batches of embryos. Female maturity(26 cm) occurs before males (20 cm).

Behavior And LifeSpan:

Blackbelly rosefish are generally solitary in nature, often found lurking in rocky or deep-sea environments, hiding among crevices and rocky outcrops. Larvae and juveniles are pelagic fish staying close to the surface.

They mainly hunt other fishes at night. On average, they can live for 15 to 20 years in the open waters.

The Blackbelly Rosefish Conservation Status:

Blackbelly Rosefish is sometimes caught by commercial fisheries, particularly in European waters. While it is not a major target species, it is considered a bycatch in some deep-sea fisheries.

Cool Facts:

-Blackbelly rosefish have a slow growth rate and reproduce at a late age.

-This fish differs from other fish having a second long spine and squared pectoral fin.

-They are slow swimmers!

-These fish are skilled hunters, often relying on ambush tactics to catch their prey. They have excellent sensory adaptations, including well-developed lateral lines and sensitive taste buds on their fins, helping them detect vibrations and chemical cues in the water.

The Blackbelley Rosefish is a thing of beauty but also a smart predator in the sea!

In the depths of our planet’s oceans, the blackbelly rosefish emerges as a captivating enigma. Don’t forget to follow deepseawonders on social media and drop any comments or suggestions you have!