Cubiceps caeruleus Regan, 1914
Blue fathead
Cubiceps caeruleus
photo by Villalba, D.O.

Family:  Nomeidae (Driftfishes)
Max. size:  28.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 4 years
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 20 - 250 m
Distribution:  South Atlantic and Pacific. Western Central Atlantic: Also reported in Nicaragua (Ref. 13613), Uruguay (Ref. 2806), and Peru (Ref. 5530).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-27; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 21-24; Vertebrae: 31-31. Pale to dark blue-grey, back darker than sides; caudal fin dark, other fins clear (Ref. 4412).
Biology:  Feeds mainly on salps. May be caught using a pelagic trawler (Ref. 33689).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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