Hoplostethus occidentalis Woods, 1973
Atlantic Roughy
Hoplostethus occidentalis
photo by Fischer, L.G.

Family:  Trachichthyidae (Slimeheads)
Max. size:  17.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 485 - 550 m
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean: southern Nova Scotia south to the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico, on the eastern seaboard of Florida, in the Bahama, in the west and southern Caribbean, and around Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Tobago and Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Pectoral fin long, its tip extending beyond anal fin origin (Ref. 13608). Scales adherent, spinules small, margins serrate, spines on fin rays small. Denticles on head bones small, septae relatively strong (Ref. 37108).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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