Spangled Tubeshoulder
Persparsia Kopua
© 2024 MarineWise
Quick Facts
Scientific name
Persparsia Kopua
Family
Tubeshoulder / Platytroctidae
Size
Up to 14 cm (5.5 in)
Weight
Up to .15 kg (.33 lb)
Distribution
Habitat & AU Distribution
Deepsea, open water species found in the mesopelagic & bathypelagic zones
Depth Range
700 - 1,500 m (4,921 ft)
Interesting Info
- Spangled Tubeshoulder are a deep sea species found in the offshore waters of southern Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.
- They are a small, slender fish with a dark brown to blackish body, covered in small cycloid scales. Like many other deep sea fish, they have large eyes.
- The specific diet of Spangled 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 have bioluminescent abilities used as a defence mechanism. They produce a luminous fluid that they are able to squirt out to confuse predators to make their escape.
- Do to there deep habitat, little is know about their breeding behaviours.
- The estimated lifespan of this small deep water species is between 1.5 – 3 years.
Species Interaction
Elusive Species
Due to the species’ deep-sea habitat, little is known about the Spangled Tubeshoulder, they are not commonly found. 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: Persparsia
Species: Persparsia Kopua
Conservation Status
The Spangled 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
