Anoplopoma fimbria (Pallas, 1814)
Sablefish
photo by Archipelago Marine Research Ltd.

Family:  Anoplopomatidae (Sablefishes)
Max. size:  120 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 94 years
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 175 - 2740 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  North Pacific: Bering Sea coasts of Kamchatka, Russia and Alaska southward to Hatsu Shima Island, southern Japan and Cedros Island, central Baja California, Mexico in the eastern Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 19-27; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-20; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-19. Dorsal fins well separated; 2nd dorsal fin sub equal to anal fin in size and form, and opposite in position. Reaches over 1 m in SL.
Biology:  Adults found on mud bottoms, from 305 (Ref. 2850) to 2,740 m depth (Ref. 2850). Young-of-the-year juveniles are pelagic and found on the surface and near-shore waters (Ref. 28499). Generally localized, but some juveniles have been found to migrate over 2,000 miles in 6 or 7 years (Ref. 28499). Feed on crustaceans, worms and small fishes (Ref. 4925). Most of the catch is marketed in Japan (Ref. 28499). Utilized fresh, dried or salted and smoked (Ref. 9988), can be steamed, pan-fried, broiled, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988). The liver oil is rich in vitamin A and D (Ref. 4925). Reported to reach 57 kg in Ref. 2850.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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