Why are they called assfish?
In 1887, German ichthyologist Albert Günther bestowed the species with its scientific name, Acanthonus armatus, which may offer a clue to how its common name of bony-eared assfish came about. Armatus, which means “armed” in Latin, was likely chosen because the fish sports spines off the tip of the nose and the gills.
Is the bony-eared assfish real?
The bony-eared assfish (Acanthonus armatus) is a bathypelagic species of cusk-eel found in tropical and sub-tropical oceans at depths of from 1,171 to 4,415 metres (3,842 to 14,485 ft). It has been found as far north as Queen Charlotte Sound off British Columbia’s coast.
How big is a bony-eared assfish brain?
In a study of the ass-fish’s brain (better than a study of the brain-fish’s ass!) researchers found a 40 gram fish with a brain weighing less than 30 mg. That’s less than 1/1000th of the body weight! For comparison, a human brain weighs about 1400 grams.
What fish has the smallest brain to body ratio?
Most vertebrate species have similar brain-to-body mass ratios. The deep sea bathypelagic bony-eared assfish, has the smallest ratio of all known vertebrates.
Does a fish have a brain?
Fish typically have quite small brains relative to body size compared with other vertebrates, typically one-fifteenth the brain mass of a similarly sized bird or mammal.
What do cusk eels eat?
Cusk-eels generally feed nocturnally, preying on invertebrates, crustaceans, and other small bottom-dwelling fishes.
What fish has the largest brain to body ratio?
elephantnose fish
| Mormyrinae | |
|---|---|
| The Peters’ elephantnose fish, Gnathonemus petersii, has the largest brain-to-body weight ratio of all known vertebrates. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
Are cusk eels blind?
It takes but a glimpse to know that the Blind Cusk Eel belongs to the deep sea. From the pale, scaleless skin to the gelatinous flesh and reduced, unpigmented eyes, it speaks of a place of pitch darkness, where normality itself is crushed by the unrelenting pressure.
Is cusk good to eat?
Cusk meat is somewhat oilier than other whitefish, so it can be grilled and baked. It is also considered a good frying fish. The dense flesh takes longer to cook than cod or haddock. Because the firm meat holds together well, cusk is good in soups and chowders.
How did the assfish get its name?
What’s In a Name? In 1887, German ichthyologist Albert Günther bestowed the species with its scientific name, Acanthonus armatus , which may offer a clue to how its common name of bony-eared assfish came about. Armatus, which means “armed” in Latin, was likely chosen because the fish sports spines off the tip of the nose and the gills.
What is a bony-eared assfish?
The bony-eared assfish ( Acanthonus armatus) is a bathypelagic species of cusk-eel found in tropical and sub-tropical oceans at depths of from 1,171 to 4,415 metres (3,842 to 14,485 ft). It has been found as far north as Queen Charlotte Sound off British Columbia ‘s coast. This species grows to a length of 37.5 centimetres (14.8 in) SL.
What is the size of an assfish?
This species grows to a length of 37.5 centimetres (14.8 in) SL. It is the only known member of its genus Acanthonus. The bony-eared assfish may have the smallest brain-to-body weight ratio of all vertebrates. Like many other creatures that dwell in the depths of the sea, assfish are soft and flabby with a light skeleton.
Why is the assfish skeleton so soft?
Like many other creatures that dwell in the depths of the sea, assfish are soft and flabby with a light skeleton. This is likely to have resulted from a lack of food and the high pressures which accompany living at such a depth, making it difficult to generate muscle and bone.