Bathylagoides wesethi facts for kids

The snubnose blacksmelt (Bathylagoides wesethi) is a fascinating type of fish that lives deep in the ocean. It's part of a group called ray-finned fish, which means its fins are supported by bony rays. This small fish belongs to the deep-sea smelt family, and it calls the northeastern Pacific Ocean its home.

What Does the Snubnose Blacksmelt Look Like?

The snubnose blacksmelt is a small fish with a long, flat body. It's deepest near its head and gets thinner towards its tail. Its snout (nose area) is rounded, and its mouth opens diagonally at the very front. The snout is about half the size of its rather large eyes.

This fish has several fins. The dorsal fin, which is on its back, has ten to fourteen soft rays. It is placed quite far back on the body. The anal fin, located on its underside, has thirteen to seventeen soft rays. Its pectoral fins, near its gills, are small and set very low on its body.

The snubnose blacksmelt has a dark brown color on top. It also has black spots and a black patch around its gill cover, which extends halfway up its body. Its sides are silvery-grey, and its fins do not have any color. The narrow part of its body before the tail is called the caudal peduncle. Its tail fin is short. A special line on its body, called the lateral line, is high up and goes into its tail fin. This fish can grow up to about 13.5 centimeters (5.3 inches) long.

Where Does the Snubnose Blacksmelt Live?

The snubnose blacksmelt lives in the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. You can find it off the western coast of North America. Its home range stretches from about 45 degrees North to 21 degrees North latitude. It also lives between 126 degrees West and 109 degrees West longitude. This fish prefers very deep water. It can be found at depths between about 25 meters (82 feet) and 1,130 meters (3,700 feet).