Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Snout pointed; naked area on snout confined to median-ventral strip, otherwise head surfaces completely scaled. Spinules on scales slender, conical to lanceolate, arranged in convergent rows. Color when fresh gray with violet hue on trunk and lower jaw; silvery reflections on gill cover, parts of the suborbital, and trunk and tail below the lateral line; pelvic fins and membrane between spinous dorsal ray and first segmented ray black; pectoral and median fins otherwise dusky; oral and branchial cavities mostly black.
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Analspines: 0
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Most common in 90-700 m but found in shallower areas with cold surface waters; with size-related depth distribution; catches increase with depth and peak catches during the day (Ref. 86779). Taken much shallower in areas with cold surface waters. Feeds primarily on euphausiids, amphipods, and polychaetes, although a 200 mm individual had many copepods in its stomach (Ref. 1371). Consumed primarily benthic organisms (Ref. 51343). It is preyed upon by swordfish (Xiphias gladius). Parasites of the species include 3 myxosporidians, 2 cestodes, 3 nematodes, 3 trematodes, 1 monogenean (Diclidophora nezumiae and 1 acanthocephalan (Ref. 5951).
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Benthic, reported as deep as 2295m (Ref. 58426). Taken much shallower in areas with cold surface waters. Feeds primarily on euphausiids, amphipods, and polychaetes, although a 200 mm individual had many copepods in its stomach (Ref. 1371).
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family