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Brown rudderfish (Icichthys lockingtoni) — Centrolophidae

Brown rudderfish

Icichthys lockingtoni

The Brown rudderfish (Icichthys lockingtoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Centrolophidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–900.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific; surface waters and the open sea.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The medusafish is a fish of the medusafish family (Centrolophidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a flabby, elongate body with a small head and soft fins. It occurs near the surface to at least 91 m depth. Young fish are common far offshore and often live among jellyfishes and siphonophores, seeking shelter under the tentacles and eating parts of the host. Adults live pelagically in the open sea. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown rudderfish?

The Brown rudderfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Juveniles live among jellyfish and siphonophores for shelter; flabby, pelagic body.

Where does the Brown rudderfish live?

The Brown rudderfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Northeast Pacific; surface waters and the open sea.

How big does the Brown rudderfish get?

The Brown rudderfish grows to a maximum of about 46 cm.

Is the Brown rudderfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown rudderfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Brown rudderfish edible?

The Brown rudderfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Brown rudderfish (Icichthys lockingtoni) — Centrolophidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ian Cruickshank, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brown rudderfish (Icichthys lockingtoni) — Centrolophidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Michele Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Brown rudderfish (Icichthys lockingtoni) — Centrolophidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ryan Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Brown rudderfish (Icichthys lockingtoni) — Centrolophidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jeremy_Jodoin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Brown rudderfish verified
Scientific name
Icichthys lockingtoni
Family
Centrolophidae
Other names
Brown rudderfish; Medusafish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
900.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; surface waters and the open sea. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Jellyfish, siphonophores and other gelatinous plankton sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Juveniles live among jellyfish and siphonophores for shelter; flabby, pelagic body. 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 Icichthys

More from the family Centrolophidae

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