Smallscale Tubeshoulder

Maulisia Microlepis
Smallscale Tubeshoulder - Marinewise © 2024 MarineWise

Quick Facts

Scientific name Maulisia Microlepis
Other names Smallscale Searsid
Size Up to 25.5 cm (10 in)
Weight Up to .14 kg (.30 lb)

Distribution

Habitat & AU Distribution Deepsea on the ocean bottom & midwater column
Depth Range 500 - 2,000 m (6,561 ft)
Smallscale Tubeshoulder Distribution

Interesting Info

  • Smallscale Tubeshoulder are a deep sea fish found in the offshore waters of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
  • They are a smaller, slender fish with a greyish and brown body.
  • The specific diet of Smallscale Tubeshoulder’s is not well-documented, but they likely feed on a variety of small prey species that are available at their depth. Including zooplankton, small invertebrates and other microorganisms.
  • They are believed to be a schooling fish as when caught(bycatch) by trawlers there are large numbers of them.
  • Do to there deep habitat, little is know about their breeding behaviours.
  • Their estimated average lifespan is between 1.5 – 3 years.
Species Interaction

Elusive Species

Due to the species’ deep-sea habitat, little is known about the Smallscale Tubeshoulder, direct human interactions with them are infrequent. More deep sea scientific research is needed to learn more about this fish.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Argentiniformes

Family: Platytroctidae

Genus: Maulisia

Species: Maulisia Microlepis

Conservation Status

The Smallscale Tubeshoulder’s conservation status in Australia is not classified. It is not a well-known or widely documented species in terms of its conservation status in Australia.

Elusive / Overlooked Species

Finding: Difficult

Temperament: Shy

Location: Deepsea, Offshore

Danger: None