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Long roughy (Optivus elongatus) — Trachichthyidae

Long roughy

Optivus elongatus
LC · Least Concern

The Long roughy (Optivus elongatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Trachichthyidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–70.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The slender roughy is a roughy (Trachichthyidae) from the waters around New Zealand. The species has a fairly deep, laterally compressed, reddish body with large eyes and stout scales. It is nocturnal and keeps hidden by day in cracks and crevices of rocky reefs. At night it emerges to catch small, mobile bottom invertebrates and zooplankton. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Long roughy?

The Long roughy has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Long roughy live?

The Long roughy lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Long roughy get?

The Long roughy grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Long roughy dangerous to humans?

No, the Long roughy is harmless to humans.

Is the Long roughy edible?

The Long roughy is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke ruwvis sourced
English name
Long roughy verified
Scientific name
Optivus elongatus
Family
Trachichthyidae
Other names
Slender roughy; Violet roughy verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Trachichthyidae

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