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Blue cubehead (Cubiceps caeruleus) — Nomeidae

Blue cubehead

Cubiceps caeruleus
Family: Nomeidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue cubehead (Cubiceps caeruleus) is a saltwater fish of the family Nomeidae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
28.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–250.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blue fathead is an open-sea fish of the driftfish family (Nomeidae) from the open ocean. The species grows to about 28 cm and has a streamlined, dark, bluish body with a blunt head. It lives pelagically in warm to temperate water and feeds mainly on salps, transparent, jelly-like tunicates that drift in swarms in open water. Juveniles sometimes live in association with floating objects and jellyfishes. The species is sometimes caught with a pelagic trawl. Owing to its open-water life it is little observed and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue cubehead?

The Blue cubehead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blue cubehead live?

The Blue cubehead lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Blue cubehead get?

The Blue cubehead grows to a maximum of about 29 cm.

Is the Blue cubehead dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue cubehead is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue cubehead edible?

The Blue cubehead is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwe dikkop sourced
English name
Blue cubehead verified
Scientific name
Cubiceps caeruleus
Family
Nomeidae
Other names
Blue fathead; Cubehead verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue 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)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
250.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
4.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cubiceps

More from the family Nomeidae

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