Sandpaper fish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sandpaper fish |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
|
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
|
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: |
Beryciformes
|
| Family: |
Trachichthyidae
|
| Genus: |
Paratrachichthys
|
| Species: |
P. trailli
|
| Binomial name | |
| Paratrachichthys trailli (F. W. Hutton, 1875)
|
|
The sandpaper fish, also known by its scientific name Paratrachichthys trailli, is a fascinating deep-sea fish. It belongs to a group of fish called slimeheads. These fish are part of the Trachichthyidae family.
You can find the sandpaper fish in the cool waters of southern Australia and southern New Zealand. It lives deep in the ocean, usually between 20 to 500 meters (about 65 to 1,640 feet) below the surface. This fish can grow up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) long.
Contents
What is the Sandpaper Fish?
The sandpaper fish gets its name from its rough skin. Imagine touching sandpaper; that's how its skin feels! This rough texture helps protect the fish in its deep-sea home. It is a type of fish that lives near the seabed.
These fish are part of the Beryciformes order. This group includes many deep-sea fish. They often have large eyes to see in the dim light. They also have strong, spiny fins.
Where Does the Sandpaper Fish Live?
The sandpaper fish lives in the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. Specifically, it is found off the coasts of southern Australia and New Zealand. This part of the ocean is very cold and dark.
The ocean floor where it lives can be rocky or muddy. These fish are often found near underwater mountains or canyons. They are well-adapted to living under high pressure.
What Does the Sandpaper Fish Look Like?
As its name suggests, the sandpaper fish has very rough, sandpaper-like skin. This is due to small, spiny scales covering its body. Its body is usually a dull color, like brown or grey. This helps it blend in with the dark seabed.
It has a somewhat compressed body, meaning it's a bit flattened from side to side. Its head is relatively large compared to its body. It also has large eyes, which are useful for seeing in the low light of the deep sea.
What Does the Sandpaper Fish Eat?
Like many deep-sea fish, the sandpaper fish is a predator. It likely feeds on smaller invertebrates. These might include small crustaceans or worms. It probably also eats other tiny organisms that live on the ocean floor.
Because food can be scarce in the deep sea, these fish are good at finding meals. They might wait for prey to come close. Or they might slowly search the seabed for food.
Who Discovered This Fish?
The sandpaper fish was first described in 1875. It was named by a scientist named Frederick Wollaston Hutton. He was a famous naturalist who studied animals and plants.
Hutton was a British scientist who spent much of his life in New Zealand. He made many important discoveries about the wildlife there. Naming a species after someone, like trailli in Paratrachichthys trailli, often honors another person.
Is the Sandpaper Fish Endangered?
The conservation status of the sandpaper fish is listed as "NE". This means "Not Evaluated." It does not mean the fish is safe or in danger. It simply means that scientists have not yet gathered enough information to decide its status.
Many deep-sea species are "Not Evaluated." This is because they live in hard-to-reach places. It is difficult for scientists to study their populations. More research is needed to understand if the sandpaper fish population is healthy.
