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Bigeye cigarfish (Cubiceps pauciradiatus) — Nomeidae

Bigeye cigarfish

Cubiceps pauciradiatus
Family: Nomeidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bigeye cigarfish (Cubiceps pauciradiatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Nomeidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
58.0–1000.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceans, from the edge of the continental shelf down to about 1000 m depth.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bigeye cigarfish is an open-ocean fish (family Nomeidae) occurring worldwide in warm seas. The species reaches about 20 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with large eyes. It lives bathypelagically, from the edge of the continental shelf to about 1000 m depth, and rises near the surface at night. Adults feed mainly on salps and other gelatinous zooplankton. The species is of no fishery interest and is harmless to humans. Little is known in detail about its reproduction.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye cigarfish?

The Bigeye cigarfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large eyes; rises to the surface at night and feeds mainly on salps.

Where does the Bigeye cigarfish live?

The Bigeye cigarfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceans, from the edge of the continental shelf down to about 1000 m depth.

How big does the Bigeye cigarfish get?

The Bigeye cigarfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Bigeye cigarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye cigarfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigeye cigarfish edible?

The Bigeye cigarfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bigeye cigarfish (Cubiceps pauciradiatus) — Nomeidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bigeye cigarfish (Cubiceps pauciradiatus) — Nomeidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bigeye cigarfish (Cubiceps pauciradiatus) — Nomeidae — 4
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Bigeye cigarfish (Cubiceps pauciradiatus) — Nomeidae — 5
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bigeye cigarfish verified
Scientific name
Cubiceps pauciradiatus
Family
Nomeidae
Other names
Bigeye cigarfish; Driftfish; Gunther's nomeid fish; Keeled cubehead; Longfin fathead; Longfin eyebrowfish; Small cigarfish; Smallfin cubiceps; Warfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
58.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1000.0 verified
Natural range
Worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceans, from the edge of the continental shelf down to about 1000 m depth. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Salps and other gelatinous zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
4.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Large eyes; rises to the surface at night and feeds mainly on salps. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cubiceps

Black cigarfish (Cubiceps baxteri) — Nomeidae
Black cigarfish
Cubiceps baxteri
Nomeidae
 Blue cubehead (Cubiceps caeruleus) — Nomeidae
Blue cubehead
Cubiceps caeruleus
Nomeidae
 Coastal cubehead (Cubiceps whiteleggii) — Nomeidae
Coastal cubehead
Cubiceps whiteleggii
Nomeidae
 Driftfish (Cubiceps gracilis) — Nomeidae
Driftfish
Cubiceps gracilis
Nomeidae

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Fin

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