Bean's Bigscale, Scopelogadus beanii (Günther, 1887)

Scientific name: Scopelogadus beanii
Bean's Bigscale, Scopelogadus beanii Click to enlarge image
A Bean's Bigscale trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth between the surface and 1275 m in international waters south of Norfolk Island, May 2003. Image: Mark McGrouther
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Scopelogadus
    Species
    beanii
    Family
    Melamphaidae
    Order
    Stephanoberyciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to at least 12 cm in length.

Introduction

Bean's Bigscale is a deepsea pelagic fish that has deep pits on its head. Its scales are easily removed so specimens that are caught in trawl nets are often badly damaged.

Identification

Bean's Bigscale is a moderately elongated fish with a large head that has deep mucous cavities and ridges of thin bones. It has a relatively long caudal peduncle and weakly attached cycloid scales. The scales are usually missing from fish that are caught in trawls. This leaves obvious scale pockets on the sides of the body.

Distribution

Bean's Bigscale occurs in bathypelagic waters at depths from 800 m to 4000 m. It is known from the Indo-West Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

In Australia it has been caught from off central to southern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Glover, C.J.M. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  2. Paulin, C., Stewart, A., Roberts, C. & P. McMillan. 1989. New Zealand Fishes. A Complete Guide. National Museum of New Zealand. Pp. 279.