Imperial blackfish (Schedophilus ovalis)

Scientific name: Schedophilus ovalis Cuvier, 1833

Imperial blackfish (Schedophilus ovalis)

The Imperial blackfish (Schedophilus ovalis) is a marine fish of the family Centrolophidae.

Biology

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

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Schedophilus ovalis
Family
Centrolophidae (Medusafishes)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
100.0
Common length
60.0
Depth range
70–700 m (230–2297 ft)
Environment
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 70 - 700 m, usually 80 - 240 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: Spain and throughout most of the Mediterranean southward. Although reported to occur in South Africa, Smith 1995 mentions that the species occurring in southern Africa is not Schedophilus ovalis but Schedophilus velaini. Western Central Atlantic: a small specimen recorded from Bermuda.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated