| Family: |
Centrolophidae (Medusafishes) |
| Max. size: |
140 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 63 kg; max. reported age: 15 years |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 40 - 1500 m |
| Distribution: |
Southwest Atlantic: Argentina. Southeast Atlantic and Western Indian Ocean: South Africa. Southwest Pacific: New Zealand and Australia (including Western Australia). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-21; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-17. Uniformly dark to black. |
| Biology: |
Most common over or near rocky areas at 100-300 m (Ref. 9258). Generally, blue eye remain close to the sea bed during the day and move up in the water column at night, following concentrations of food (Ref. 6390). The fish are found over rough ground and at the edges of canyons and steep drop-offs. Blue eye appear to prefer cold water as part of their general behavior (Ref. 6390). Juveniles inhabit surface waters, sometimes in association with floating debris (Ref. 6390). Feed primarily on the pelagic tunicate Pyrosoma atlantica which is found near the sea bed during the day but dispersed throughout the water column at night (Ref. 7129, 30454). They also feed on squid, mollusks and crustaceans (Ref. 30455, 30454) and fish ranging from small lanternfish (Myctophidae) to large fish such as gemfish (Rexea solandri). Juveniles consume small planktonic and sedentary organisms (Ref. 30456). Marketed fresh and frozen; exported to Japan for sashimi; eaten steamed, fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9988). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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