ANIMAL SPECIES:Alfonsino, Beryx decadactylus Cuvier, 1829
The Alfonsino is a deepwater fish that inhabits temperate and tropical ocean waters nearly worldwide, with the exception of the north-eastern Pacific.
Alternative Names/s
The Alfonsino has also been called Imperador, Longfin Beryx and Red Bream. In Australia the official marketing name is Imperador.Identification
The Alfonsino has a deep compressed body. It has a single short-based dorsal fin. The anal fin has a much longer base and originates below the middle of the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is forked.
The species has very large eyes, a large oblique mouth and small ctenoid scales. It is red to pink sometimes shading to a silvery pink below.
Size range
It grows to 60 cm in length.Distribution
The species occurs in most temperate and tropical marine waters worldwide, with the exception of the north-eastern Pacific.
In Australia it is known from off northern New South Wales to south-eastern Tasmania.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Alfonsino specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
It is found in depths from 180 m to 800 m.
Classification
- Species:
- decadactylus
- Genus:
- Beryx
- Family:
- Berycidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Kuiter, R.H. 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.
- Paxton, J.R. Berycidae in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem. 1999. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). FAO. Rome Pp. iii-v, 2069-2790.
- Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & R.D. Ward. 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook, an identification guide to domestic species. CSIRO Marine Research. Pp. 461.
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An Alfonsino caught south-east of Sydney View full size
Carl Bento
© Australian Museum
Close-up of an Alfonsino View full size
Carl Bento
© Australian Museum
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