Smallscale Tubeshoulder
Maulisia Microlepis
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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)
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
