Deepwater jack facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deepwater jack |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family: | Scorpaenidae |
| Genus: | Pontinus |
| Species: |
P. nigropunctatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Pontinus nigropunctatus (Günther, 1868)
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| Synonyms | |
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The deepwater jack or St. Helena deepwater scorpionfish (scientific name: Pontinus nigropunctatus) is a type of ray-finned fish. It belongs to a group of fish called Scorpaenidae, which are also known as scorpionfishes. You can find this fish swimming in the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean.
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What is the Deepwater Jack?
The deepwater jack is a fascinating fish that lives in the ocean's deeper parts. It's known for its unique look and where it makes its home.
Its Scientific Name Explained
The deepwater jack was first officially described in 1868 by a scientist named Albert Günther. He gave it the scientific name Sebastes nigropunctatus at first. Later, its name was changed to Pontinus nigropunctatus. The word nigropunctatus means "black spotted." This name perfectly describes the many dark spots you can see on its reddish body.
What Does the Deepwater Jack Look Like?
This fish has a pretty cool appearance! It's mostly a reddish-rose color.
Body Color and Spots
The upper part of its body is covered with many blackish-brown spots. These spots help it blend in with its surroundings in the deep ocean.
How Big Does It Get?
The deepwater jack can grow up to about 35 centimeters (that's about 14 inches) long. Imagine a ruler and a half – that's roughly how big it can be!
Where Does the Deepwater Jack Live?
This fish lives in the deep parts of the ocean. It was once thought to live only around St Helena Island, which is in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
Its Ocean Home
Scientists have now found the deepwater jack in other places too! It has been seen near the Bonaparte Seamount and the Grattan Seamount. It also lives around Ascension Island and the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago off the coast of Brazil.
How Deep Does It Swim?
The deepwater jack is a true deep-sea dweller. It usually lives at depths between 146 to 183 meters (about 479 to 600 feet) below the surface. That's like swimming at the bottom of a very tall skyscraper! It prefers to live where the ocean floor is hard and rocky.
How Does the Deepwater Jack Reproduce?
Scientists have studied how these fish reproduce. It's quite interesting!
Males and Females
For every female deepwater jack, there are about 1.8 males. This means there are almost twice as many males as females in their population.
Eggs and Reproduction
Female deepwater jacks can carry a lot of eggs, called oocytes. On average, a female carries about 49,544 eggs! Bigger females tend to have even more eggs. The deepwater jack might develop its eggs at different times, which is called asynchronous development. This means they don't all mature at once.
Is the Deepwater Jack Fished?
Even though it lives in the ocean, the deepwater jack is not a common fish for people to catch.
Why It's Not Often Caught
It has soft, white meat that tastes good. However, fishermen don't often target it. This might be because it lives so deep or isn't found in large groups.
How Is the Deepwater Jack Protected?
The deepwater jack's conservation status has changed over time. This shows how important it is to keep learning about ocean creatures.
From Vulnerable to Least Concern
In 1996, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) listed the deepwater jack as a Vulnerable species. This was because scientists thought it only lived in a small area around St Helena. However, later discoveries showed that it lives in many more places. Because its range is wider than first thought, its status was changed to Least Concern. This means it is not currently at high risk of extinction.
 | Delilah Pierce |
 | Gordon Parks |
 | Augusta Savage |
 | Charles Ethan Porter |
