Fish
Mostelle / Bottom-dwelling Phycis
Phycis blennoides
Out of season
—
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
33 cm
Minimum size
Description
The mostelle is a marine fish with an elongated, spindle-shaped body, typical of the Gadiformes order. It is characterized by a large head with big eyes adapted to deep-sea life, a brown to reddish-gray body on the back that lightens toward the belly, a high first dorsal fin with an elongated ray, and very long, filamentous pelvic fins that extend well beyond the origin of the anal fin (a major distinguishing feature).
The maximum recorded length is approximately 110 cm, but captured individuals generally measure less than 45 cm.
The maximum recorded length is approximately 110 cm, but captured individuals generally measure less than 45 cm.
Habitat
It is a benthopelagic marine species, living near the seafloor but capable of moving away from it to travel through the water column. It lives at depths ranging from 10 m to over 1,300 m, with most individuals found between 100 and 450 m; in certain areas (such as the Ionian Sea), it can reach depths exceeding 1,000 m.
It inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms, primarily on the continental shelf and the continental slope.
Juveniles are more coastal and frequent the continental shelf, while adults migrate toward the continental slope.
This species is adapted to deep, temperate, and dimly lit environments.
It inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms, primarily on the continental shelf and the continental slope.
Juveniles are more coastal and frequent the continental shelf, while adults migrate toward the continental slope.
This species is adapted to deep, temperate, and dimly lit environments.
Distribution
It has a wide distribution and is found in the eastern Atlantic: from Norway and Iceland to Cap Blanc (West Africa); it is also found around the Azores and in the Mediterranean Sea (particularly the western Mediterranean and the Ionian Sea).
It is therefore an Atlantic-Mediterranean species, absent from strictly tropical waters.
It is therefore an Atlantic-Mediterranean species, absent from strictly tropical waters.