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Flabby driftfish (Tubbia tasmanica) — Centrolophidae

Flabby driftfish

Tubbia tasmanica

The Flabby driftfish (Tubbia tasmanica) is a saltwater fish of the family Centrolophidae that grows up to 67 cm.

Length
67 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–850.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Cool waters of the southern hemisphere; open water, juveniles under drifting jellyfish.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Tasmanian ruffe is a fish of the medusafish family (Centrolophidae) from the cool waters of the southern hemisphere. The species grows to about 67 cm and has a soft, dark, laterally compressed body with a blunt head. Subadults are found near the surface over deep water, while juveniles often stay under floating jellyfish and weed; adults live deeper. As an omnivore it feeds on salps, jellyfishes and other gelatinous zooplankton. Owing to its remote, partly deep habits the species is little seen and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flabby driftfish?

The Flabby driftfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly black and shows a plain pattern. Soft, dark body; juveniles shelter under drifting jellyfish, feeds on gelatinous plankton.

Where does the Flabby driftfish live?

The Flabby driftfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Cool waters of the southern hemisphere; open water, juveniles under drifting jellyfish.

How big does the Flabby driftfish get?

The Flabby driftfish grows to a maximum of about 67 cm.

Is the Flabby driftfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Flabby driftfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Flabby driftfish edible?

The Flabby driftfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Flabby driftfish verified
Scientific name
Tubbia tasmanica
Family
Centrolophidae
Other names
Mauve ruffe; Rudderfish; Tasmanian rudderfish; Tasmanian ruffe verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
67.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
850.0 verified
Natural range
Cool waters of the southern hemisphere; open water, juveniles under drifting jellyfish. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Salps, jellyfish and jelly-like zooplankton 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
Soft, dark body; juveniles shelter under drifting jellyfish, feeds on gelatinous plankton. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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

More from the family Centrolophidae

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