Blackline tilefish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackline tilefish |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
The Blackline Tilefish, also called the ocean whitefish, is a type of fish that lives in the ocean. It is a ray-finned fish and belongs to the family called Malacanthidae. You can find this fish in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Contents
What Does the Blackline Tilefish Look Like?
The Blackline Tilefish has a strong, somewhat square-shaped body. Its head is deep and has a rounded shape. There is a soft ridge along its back, right in front of its dorsal fin (the fin on its back). The gill cover has a short, dull spine and a bumpy edge.
This fish can be violet or blue in color. It has a dark area on its back with many lines that look like a net. There is also a dark stripe along its back. Its belly is white. It has a yellow ridge on the back of its neck and shiny, silver cheeks. A bluish-green stripe goes from its eye to its upper lip. The front part of its dorsal fin is orange-yellow. There is a dark spot above its pectoral fin (the fin near its gills). The ends of its caudal fin (tail fin) are mostly yellow.
Blackline Tilefish can grow up to 60 centimetres (24 in) long. Most of them are about 30 centimetres (12 in) long. The heaviest one ever found weighed about 11 kilograms (24 lb).
Where Do Blackline Tilefish Live?
The Blackline Tilefish lives in the western Atlantic Ocean. You can find them from North Carolina all the way down to the northern coast of South America. They also live in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Home and Habits of the Blackline Tilefish
Blackline Tilefish live on the seafloor. They prefer areas with muddy or sandy bottoms. They can be found at depths from 45 to 495 metres (148 to 1,624 ft). However, they are usually seen between 150 and 250 metres (490 and 820 ft) deep.
These fish eat invertebrates, which are small creatures without backbones. They also eat smaller fish. Blackline Tilefish are often seen swimming with other types of tilefish. These include the Goldeneye Tilefish and the Atlantic Goldeneye Tilefish.
Why Are Blackline Tilefish Important?
The Blackline Tilefish is important for fishing. People catch them for food and also for sport. They are especially important for commercial fishing in countries like Venezuela and Colombia.
