The Blackbelly Rosefish, Helicolenus dactylopterus, is a marine species inhabiting the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This fish belongs to the scorpionfish family, known for its deep-sea dwelling habits. Its presence in these environments contributes to understanding oceanic biodiversity.
Physical Characteristics
The Blackbelly Rosefish is a robust fish with an elongated, somewhat compressed body, reaching a common length of about 25 centimeters (10 inches), though some individuals grow up to 47 centimeters (18.5 inches). Its coloration ranges from reddish to orange, often displaying darker mottling on the back in larger specimens. Smaller fish may exhibit reddish vertical bands, and a black spot near the end of the spiny dorsal fin is sometimes present.
A distinctive feature that gives the fish its name is the black internal lining of its belly. The head is spiny, with a spiny ridge below the eye and several preopercle spines, the second from the top being the longest. Its large, fan-like pectoral fins have tips of the lower rays free from the fin membrane, and its large mouth is dark colored inside. The dorsal fin has 11 to 13 spines and 10 to 14 rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 5 rays. The Blackbelly Rosefish possesses venomous spines on its dorsal fin that can deter predators.
Habitat and Ecology
The Blackbelly Rosefish is a bathydemersal species, meaning it lives near the seabed, primarily over soft bottom areas of the continental shelf and upper slope. It is widely distributed across the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Nova Scotia to Venezuela in the west, and from Iceland and Norway down to South Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea, in the east. This species is found at depths between 150 and 600 meters (490 to 1,970 feet), though it has been recorded as deep as 1,100 meters (3,610 feet).
The Blackbelly Rosefish is a sit-and-wait predator, utilizing its cryptic coloration to ambush prey. Its diet is varied and includes both benthic (bottom-dwelling) and pelagic (open water) organisms. Common prey items consist of decapod crustaceans, other fish, and cephalopods, with proportions varying depending on the size of the individual fish. It can live for up to 40 years.
Commercial Value
The Blackbelly Rosefish is commercially important in various parts of its range, particularly in the Mediterranean, where it is a significant scorpionfish species. Although historically of limited commercial interest due to its deep-water habitat, its market demand has been growing as fishing fleets seek new resources. This species is frequently caught as bycatch in demersal fisheries targeting other deep-sea species, such as black spot seabream and deep-sea crustaceans.
Fishing methods for the Blackbelly Rosefish involve “deep dropping” with chicken rigs, using sturdy hooks and heavy lead weights to reach extreme depths. Electric reels are employed to manage the long lines required for this type of deep-water fishing. While primarily a bycatch species in some areas, it is also targeted by artisanal longline and gillnet fisheries in regions like the Strait of Gibraltar and along the Portuguese continental coast. The Blackbelly Rosefish is considered excellent table fare, with a sweet taste and firm texture.
Conservation Status
The Blackbelly Rosefish is classified as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Despite this designation, localized populations face pressures from intensive deep-sea fishing activities. Its slow growth rate and long lifespan make it susceptible to overfishing, even if primarily caught as bycatch.
In some regions, such as the Azores, management measures have been implemented for sustainable exploitation, including area-gear restrictions, vessel size and effort limits, and minimum landing sizes. Research initiatives monitor population dynamics and stock status to ensure the long-term viability of the species.