Common thresher (Alopias vulpinus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Alopias vulpinus
- Common name
- Common thresher
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Alopiidae
- Genus
- Alopias
- Size
- 300–600 cm
- Depth
- 0–650 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- solitary, fast-moving
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Alopias vulpinus reaches 6 m with 3 m just for the tail (upper lobe). Spindle-shaped metallic gray-blue body above, white below, moderate eyes. Sickle-shaped exceptionally elongated caudal tail used as a whip to stun schools of small pelagic fish before ingestion. Lives from 0 to 650 m in temperate and tropical oceans. Listed VU, intense overfishing. Rare but possible encounters in Azores, California or Philippines (iconic Malapascua cleaning stations).
Photo of Common thresher
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Common thresher?
- Common thresher (Alopias vulpinus) reaches 300–600 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Common thresher?
- Common thresher is found between 0–650 m deep.
- Is the Common thresher dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Common thresher?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Common thresher?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Alopias
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105836)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2420797)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia