Scopelosaurus smithii Bean 1925

Blackish on head and back; paler below (Ref. 6602). No distinct black spot surrounding anus (Ref. 13608).

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 17 - 19; Vertebrae: 53 - 56

Larvae are epipelagic, young inhabit the layers between 50-200 m, adults benthopelagic and found deeper than 500 m over continental and insular slopes (Ref. 6552, 6602). Feeds mainly on zooplankton. Extensive migrations by juveniles and adults, probably for feeding in the subtropical belts. Spawning occurs in tropical waters, especially in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean (Ref. 6689).

Larvae are epipelagic, young inhabit the layers between 50-200 m, adults benthopelagic and found deeper than 500 m over continental and insular slopes (Ref. 6552, 6602). Mesopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds mainly on zooplankton. Extensive migrations by juveniles and adults, probably for feeding in the subtropical belts. Spawning occurs in tropical waters, especially in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean (Ref. 6689).

fisheries: of no interest

Feeds mainly on zooplankton

from 34°N to 20°S, with some larval drift up to 40°

Larvae are epipelagic, young inhabit the layers between 50-200 m, adults benthopelagic and found deeper than 500 m over continental and insular slopes.

nektonic