Hoplostethus crassispinus - in the same genus as, and related to the Orange Roughy. Unlike the Orange Roughy, this fish lives a somewhat solitary existence, whereas the Orange Roughy schools – which has contributed to the species’ being overfished in some places. There is a general sense that these fish have a level of curiosity because they often retreat into holes when imaged, but then turn around to investigate the investigator.
Leg 3 Dive 02: Keahole
Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2015 Hohonu Moana. Download image (jpg, 1.9 MB).

Hoplostethus crassispinus - in the same genus as, and related to the Orange Roughy. Unlike the Orange Roughy, this fish lives a somewhat solitary existence, whereas the Orange Roughy schools – which has contributed to the species’ being overfished in some places. There is a general sense that these fish have a level of curiosity because they often retreat into holes when imaged, but then turn around to investigate the investigator.

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