Fisheries Infosite

Orange Roughy South Tasman Rise (ORHSTR)
Scientific name
Hoplostethus atlanticus

Physical characteristics

Orange Roughy have an orange body and fins. They can grow to a maximum length of 48 cm with an average of 35 cm.

Life cycle

Orange Roughy are slow growing and long lived with a maximum age of 120-130 years. They reach maturity at 23-31 years old. Spawning occurs once a year between June and early August.

Habitat

Orange Roughy are found throughout New Zelaand waters at depths from 700-1500 m. They feed on mesopelagic and bathopelagic prawns, fish, squid, mysids, amphipods and euphausids.

 
Key statistics
Recreational significance Low
Customary significance Low
Reported commercial catch1 (tonnes)
Quota value estimate2 (NZ$m)
Exports estimate2 (NZ$m)
1 Reported commercial catch is calculated for the 12 month period to 30/09/2025
2 Quota value and exports are calculated pro-rata to reported commercial catch for the 12 month period to 30/09/2025