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Parazen (Parazen pacificus) — Parazenidae

Parazen

Parazen pacificus
Family: Parazenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Parazen (Parazen pacificus) is a saltwater fish of the family Parazenidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
145.0–500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Deep waters; continental slope.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The parazen is a parazen (Parazenidae) from the deep waters of the ocean. The species has a laterally compressed, reddish body with large eyes and a protrusible mouth. It lives bottom-bound on the continental slope in deeper water. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates that it locates just above the bottom. Because of its deep habitat it is rarely seen and little known. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Parazen?

The Parazen has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Reddish, flattened body with large eyes and a protrusible mouth; bottom hunter of the continental slope.

Where does the Parazen live?

The Parazen lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Deep waters; continental slope.

How big does the Parazen get?

The Parazen grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Parazen dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Parazen edible?

The Parazen is rarely eaten.

More photos

Parazen (Parazen pacificus) — Parazenidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Parazen (Parazen pacificus) — Parazenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Parazen (Parazen pacificus) — Parazenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Parazen (Parazen pacificus) — Parazenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) りなべる, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Parazen verified
Scientific name
Parazen pacificus
Family
Parazenidae
Other names
Parazen verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 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
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
145.0 verified
Max depth (m)
500.0 verified
Natural range
Deep waters; continental slope. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates 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
Reddish, flattened body with large eyes and a protrusible mouth; bottom hunter of the continental slope. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Parazenidae

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