Common name: Black widow

Scientific name: Stygnobrotula latebricola Böhlke, 1957

General information

The Black Brotula, Stygnobrotula latebricola, is a rare and intriguing species of fish that is not commonly found in the aquarium trade. This deep-sea fish is known for its unique adaptations to life in the dark abyssal zones of the ocean. It has a slender, elongated body with a dark, velvety coloration that helps it blend into the dimly lit surroundings of its natural habitat.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
200 liter (53 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
10 cm (4″)
Care level
Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
Diet
Carnivore Prefers live foods.
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
Reefsafe
No May prey on small fish/inverts.
Aggression
Aggresive Aggressive, especially in small tanks.
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Pearlfish
    Ophidiiformes
  5. Family
    Viviparous brotulas
    Bythitidae
  6. Genus
    Barreleye
    Stygnobrotula
  7. Species
    Black widow
    Stygnobrotula latebricola Böhlke, 1957
  8. Synonyms
    Eutyx tumidirostris Boeseman, 1960
    Stignobrotula latebricola Böhlke, 1957

Care

Due to its rarity and specialized habitat requirements, the Black Brotula is not typically kept by hobbyists. If one were to attempt to keep this species, it would require a very deep and large aquarium with minimal lighting to mimic its natural deep-sea environment. The tank would also need to be equipped with a chiller to maintain the low temperatures that this species is accustomed to.

Reproduction

Little is known about the reproductive habits of the Black Brotula in the wild or in captivity. It is presumed that, like many deep-sea fish, they have specific and possibly complex breeding behaviors that are not well understood.

Habitat

Stygnobrotula latebricola is found in the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean, typically at depths exceeding 1,000 meters. It inhabits the benthic zone, living among the sea floor's sediments and rocks where it can find shelter and hunt for its prey.