Distribution:

Western Atlantic: Grand Banks and Nova Scotia (Canada) to Florida (USA), Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies. Eastern Atlantic: Norway and Greenland to Senegal and south of Angola also Mediterranean. Indian Ocean: in temperate waters. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of Alaska to south of southern California. A single capture in South Georgia marks an incidental occurrence in Southern Ocean.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal softrays (total): 48-55; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft-rays: 33-41; Vertebrates: 43. Caudal fin broadly lunate; pectorals long and falcate; pelvics similar to pectorals in shape and a little longer. Dark steely blue dorsally shading into green with silver and purple iridescence, belly rosy, body covered with silvery spots in irregular rows, light mottling on caudal and dorsal fins; vermillon on fins and jaws, golden around eyes.

Biology:

Oceanic and apparently solitary. Feeds on midwater fishes and invertebrates, mainly squids. Probably spawns in the spring. Occasionally taken as a by-catch of tuna fisheries. Considered a good food fish; marketed fresh and frozen; prepared as sashimi.

Max. size: 200.0 cm

Max.weight: 270 Kg

Environment: bathypelagic; depth range 100 - 400 m

Climate: deep-water; 60°N - 55°S

Canary Islands country information: [ No common name ]