Spangled Tubeshoulder

Persparsia Kopua
Spangled Tubeshoulder - Marinewise © 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)
Spangled Tubeshoulder Distribution

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