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Arokura (Lampris guttatus) — Lampridae

Arokura

Lampris guttatus
Family: Lampridae
LC · Least Concern

The Arokura (Lampris guttatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lampridae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The opah is a large, disc-shaped ocean fish (Lampridae). The species has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, blue-silvery body densely studded with white spots and bright-red fins and lips. Notably it is partly warm-blooded: by retaining heat from its muscles via the gills it keeps its body warmer than the surrounding water, making it an active hunter in cold deep water. It lives solitarily, epi- to mesopelagically in the open ocean, and feeds on midwater fishes and squid. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arokura?

The Arokura has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Arokura live?

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

How big does the Arokura get?

The Arokura grows to a maximum of about 200 cm. On average the species is around 120 cm.

Is the Arokura dangerous to humans?

No, the Arokura is harmless to humans.

Is the Arokura edible?

Yes, the Arokura is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Koningsvis sourced
English name
Arokura verified
Scientific name
Lampris guttatus
Family
Lampridae
Other names
Cravo; Glacefish; Gudlax; Jerusalem haddock verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Average length (cm)
120.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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)
500.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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 Lampris

More from the family Lampridae

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