Anoplopoma fimbria

Anoplopoma fimbria, commonly known as the Sablefish or Black Cod, is a species of marine fish found in the North Pacific Ocean.

Taxonomy

The Anoplopoma fimbria belongs to the family Anoplopomatidae and the order Scorpaeniformes. The species was first described by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1761.

Description

The Anoplopoma fimbria is a deep-sea fish with a dark gray to black color. It can grow up to 100 cm in length and weigh up to 25 kg. The fish has a long, slender body with a large mouth and sharp teeth.

Distribution and Habitat

The Anoplopoma fimbria is found in the North Pacific Ocean, from northern California to Japan and from the surface to depths of 2,700 meters. It prefers cold, deep waters and is commonly found on muddy sea bottoms.

Diet

The diet of the Anoplopoma fimbria consists mainly of other fish, squid, and crustaceans. It is a predatory species that hunts its prey in the deep sea.

Commercial Importance

The Anoplopoma fimbria is a commercially important species, particularly in Japan and the United States, where it is known as Black Cod. The fish is prized for its rich, buttery flavor and is often used in the preparation of sushi and sashimi.

Conservation Status

The Anoplopoma fimbria is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, overfishing and habitat destruction pose potential threats to the species.

See Also

• Fish
• Sablefish
• Scorpaeniformes
• Anoplopomatidae

References

• Anoplopoma fimbria. FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. November 2018 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2018.
• Anoplopoma fimbria. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 30 November 2018.