Scientific Name
Schedophilus ovalis

Common Name
Imperial blackfish

Biology
Prefers deep water at the edge of continental shelves and around oceanic islands; larger specimens near the bottom (Ref. 4542). Young are epipelagic and associate with floating jellyfish, including Physalia (Ref. 4542). Adults are caught on hooks baited with fish or squid. Its white flesh is reported to be good-tasting (Ref. 4542).

Classification

Classified By

Cuvier, 1833

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Medusafishes (Centrolophidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: Spain and throughout most of the Mediterranean southward. Although reported to occur in South Africa (Ref. 4542, 6942), Smith 1995 (Ref. 11228) mentions that the species occurring in southern Africa is not Schedophilus ovalis but Schedophilus velaini. Western Central Atlantic: a small specimen recorded from Bermuda.

Range

46°N - 35°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

70 m

Depth To - meters

700 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 70 - 700 m (Ref. 52180), usually 80 - 240 m (Ref. 27121)

Trophic Level

3.54 s.e. 0.47 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

60.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5039 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (60 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated