| Gempylidae (Snake mackerels) |
| 130 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 200 - 1200 m |
| Probably distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas except in eastern Pacific and northern Indian oceans. Large-sized individuals stray in cold-temperate waters off Iceland, Norway, northern Japan and southern New Zealand (Ref. 6181). Reported from 19°41'S, 79°11'W (Ref. 11892). |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 20-22; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-24; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 18-21; Vertebrae: 34-36. Body fairly elongate and strongly compressed. Mouth with fang-like teeth. The tips of both jaws with dermal processes. Gill rakers degenerated. Color is dark brown with violet tint; fin membranes black; margin of anus black (Ref. 6181). |
| Adults, benthopelagic to mesopelagic, dwell on the continental slope or underwater rises, migrating to midwater at night (Ref. 6181). Eggs are pelagic (Ref. 6766). Larvae and juveniles, epipelagic to mesopelagic, are rather common in oceanic ichthyoplankton and are only found in the tropics (Ref. 6181). Feed on squid, fish and crustaceans (Ref. 6181). Consumed as food (Ref. 4537). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 August 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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