Hoplosebastes armatus is a scorpion fish. It is native to Pacific Ocean, especially in the region around Japan and to East China sea. It is the only known species of the Hoplosebastes genus. It grows to a length of 12.3 cm.
Key Facts for UPSC Examination
- The fish was discovered in Bay of Bengal. The discovery was spoken world wide as the fish species is found only in the Pacific Ocean.
- The fish was first discovered in 1929 in Japan.
- It belongs to the order of ray-finned fish. Such fishes are also known as Scorpaeniforme.
About the discovery
The Hoplosebastes was discovered from the harbour of Digha, West Bengal in February 2019. Later in 2021, the scientists collected twenty-two other specimens from the Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha.
About Hoplosebastes armatus
The Hoplosebastes armatus discovered in India was of length between 14 millimetres and 22 millimetres. The head of the fish is larger than the body. The species found in the Indian Ocean resembles to those found in Japan in 1929. However, they differ in the presence of extensive spots on the fins, presence of tentacles on the head, scale less maxilla. They also differ in the number of spines on the sub-orbital stray.
How did they reach the Indian Ocean?
The scientists believe that the rise in temperature in the sea has induced the migration of the species.
