Rouleina attrita (Vaillant, 1888)
Softskin smooth-head
Rouleina attrita
photo by SFSA

Family:  Alepocephalidae (Slickheads)
Max. size:  48 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 450 - 2300 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal, widely distributed in the Atlantic, most Indian Ocean submarine ridges, Subantarctic, North Pacific and tropical western and eastern Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-21
Biology:  Captured between 1,400-2,100 m in the Atlantic Ocean; 1,120-1,650 m in the Indian Ocean; 585-1,416 off Australia; 1,020-1,540 in Western Pacific; 911-1,187 Eastern Pacific and Bering Sea; and 800-1,400 m in the Pacific Ocean (Ref. 5003, 57826). Found on the continental slope (Ref. 75154). Maximum depth reported from Ref. 4460. Upper distribution of this species may follow the 4°C isotherm (Ref. 57826).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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