Fish
European argentine
Argentina sphyraena
(GSA7) Gulf of Lion, (GSA8) Corsica
Zones de pêche
Wild
Origine
13 cm
Taille minimale
Description
Starting from May.
The body is elongated and spindle-shaped, with an almost circular cross-section. It is silvery in color with a brilliant sheen, often marked by a very distinct silvery lateral band. Its head features large eyes (typical of deep-sea fish) and a pointed snout. The mouth is small. It has a small adipose fin (characteristic of the order Argentiniformes). The dorsal fin is located toward the middle of the body. It generally measures between 15 and 20 cm, with a reported maximum of 27 cm. Its diet consists mainly of small benthic invertebrates (crustaceans, worms), mollusks, and occasionally small fish.
The body is elongated and spindle-shaped, with an almost circular cross-section. It is silvery in color with a brilliant sheen, often marked by a very distinct silvery lateral band. Its head features large eyes (typical of deep-sea fish) and a pointed snout. The mouth is small. It has a small adipose fin (characteristic of the order Argentiniformes). The dorsal fin is located toward the middle of the body. It generally measures between 15 and 20 cm, with a reported maximum of 27 cm. Its diet consists mainly of small benthic invertebrates (crustaceans, worms), mollusks, and occasionally small fish.
Habitat
A marine, benthopelagic fish (living near the seafloor while swimming in the open water column). It is generally found at depths of 50 to 700 meters, but is most abundant on the continental shelf between 100 and 200 meters. It prefers the cool waters of temperate depths. It often lives in dense schools above muddy or sandy bottoms.
Distribution
The species is found primarily in the northeastern Atlantic, ranging from northern Norway (and occasionally the southern Barents Sea) to Iceland. In the North Sea, the English Channel, and all around the British Isles. In the Bay of Biscay, along the Iberian coast to Western Sahara. It is found throughout most of the Mediterranean basin (except the Black Sea), although it is sometimes less common there than in the Atlantic.