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New Zealand ruffe (Schedophilus huttoni) — Centrolophidae

New Zealand ruffe

Schedophilus huttoni
LC · Least Concern

The New Zealand ruffe (Schedophilus huttoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Centrolophidae that grows up to 90 cm.

Length
90 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1000.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Hutton's ruffe is a fish of the medusafish family (Centrolophidae) from the temperate waters of the southern hemisphere. The species has an elongate, dark body with a continuous dorsal fin. It occurs along the edge of the continental shelf and near oceanic islands. Adults live demersally on the continental slope at about 800 to 1000 m deep, while subadults and juveniles live in surface waters, often near floating material. It feeds on jellyfishes and other zooplankton. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the New Zealand ruffe?

The New Zealand ruffe has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the New Zealand ruffe live?

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

How big does the New Zealand ruffe get?

The New Zealand ruffe grows to a maximum of about 90 cm.

Is the New Zealand ruffe dangerous to humans?

No, the New Zealand ruffe is harmless to humans.

Is the New Zealand ruffe edible?

The New Zealand ruffe is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Huttons drijfvis sourced
English name
New Zealand ruffe verified
Scientific name
Schedophilus huttoni
Family
Centrolophidae
Other names
New Zealand ruffe; Rag ruff verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
90.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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)
1000.0 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
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 Schedophilus

More from the family Centrolophidae

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