Bathymaster signatus Cope, 1873
Searcher
photo by Orlov, A.

Family:  Bathymasteridae (Ronquils)
Max. size:  38 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 370.0 g; max. reported age: 9 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 825 m
Distribution:  Arctic, Northwest to Northeast Pacific: East Siberian Sea to eastern Kamchatka and the Commander Islands, Russian and Washington, USA (Ref. 6793); including Hokkaido, Japan (Ref. 37422) and the Sea of Okhotsk (Ref. 48889).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 47; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 32-34. Caudal fin narrow, gently rounded (Ref. 6885). Brown on the dorsal surface with dark markings, lighter ventrally with yellow to orange streaks; yellow on head in some areas and yellow mottling on fins; black blotch on anterior part of dorsal fin for first 3 to 5 rays, conspicuous; pelvic fins dusky and some dark marks on other fins; eyes reputed to be blue (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Adults are found offshore on soft bottoms (Ref. 2850); and deeper (to 300 m) than other ronquils (Ref. 48889). Reaches more than 38 cm (Ref. 48889).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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