Teleostei (teleosts) >
Trachichthyiformes (Roughies) >
Trachichthyidae (Slimeheads)
Etymology: Hoplostethus: Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, stetho, stethion = brest; literal = to prick a little breast (Ref. 45335); melanopeza: Name from Greek 'melano' for ‘black’ and 'peza‘ for 'edge’; referring to the characteristic black edge on all fins in large individuals of this species; noun in apposition.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 250 - 400 m (Ref. 92805). Subtropical; 33°S - 37°S (Ref. 92805)
South Pacific: sub-tropical and temperate latitudes of the Tasman and South Fiji Basins; SE Australian slopes on the west to the outer Bay of Plenty and southern Kermadec Ridge at the north end of the North Island in New Zealand in the east.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 51.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 92805)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 3 - 10. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 15 pectoral-fin rays, rarely 13, 14 or 16; 18-21 total gill rakers on outer side of first arch; 9-12 abdominal scutes, some scutes in large individuals with multiple apical points; 16-22 predorsal scales; isthmus lacking scales; body scales adherent; lateral–line scales with strong medial ridge, but no spine in small and medium sized adults, with strong spine centrally on posterior margin in large adults; scales on predorsal midline forming low raised ridge; body ovoid and deep, depth 1.9-2.1 in SL; nape gently curved, forehead almost straight to above upper lip; dorsal- and anal-fin spines of moderate thickness; body of adults grey, superimposed with deep red in life, outer margin of all fins with narrow black edge in adults; buccal cavity and opercular recess black, vomer, margins of mouth roof lateral to palatines, underside of tongue and upper surface of lower jaw stark white (Ref. 92805).
Inhabits continental slopes, seamounts and submarine rises with collection depths recorded between about 140 and 760 m, but most often 250-400 m (Ref. 92805).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Roberts, C.D. and M.F. Gomon, 2012. A review of giant roughies of the genus Hoplostethus (Beryciformes, Trachichthyidae), with descriptions of two new Australasian species. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 69:341-354. (Ref. 92805)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 4.3 - 9.7, mean 5.4 °C (based on 46 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01660 (0.00714 - 0.03859), b=3.05 (2.85 - 3.25), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.7 ±0.6 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate to high vulnerability (45 of 100).
