Imperador, Beryx decadactylus Cuvier, 1829

ANIMAL SPECIES:Imperador, Beryx decadactylus Cuvier, 1829

The Imperador is a deepwater fish that inhabits temperate and tropical ocean waters nearly worldwide, with the exception of the north-eastern Pacific.

Alternative Name/s

Alfonsino, Longfinned Beryx, Red Bream

Identification

The Imperador 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 Imperador specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is found in depths from 180 m to 800 m.

Classification

Species:: decadactylus
Genus:: Beryx
Family:: Berycidae
Order:: Beryciformes
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

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.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 21 September 2010

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