Fish
Silver scabbardfish
Lepidopus caudatus
Out of season
—
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
110 cm
Minimum size
Description
The head is pointed with a prominent lower jaw. The mouth is lined with sharp, strong teeth. The dorsal fin is very long and extends almost the entire length of the body. The caudal fin (tail) is small but distinct and forked. It can reach a maximum length of 210 cm, but its typical size is around 110–120 cm. It can weigh up to 8 kg. It is a voracious predator that feeds on crustaceans, cephalopods (squid), and small fish (particularly lanternfish).
Habitat
A benthopelagic species (lives near the seafloor but can rise to midwater). It is generally found at depths between 100 and 300 meters, but can be found from 40 meters up to more than 600 meters.
Distribution
It is found worldwide in temperate waters, primarily in the Southern Hemisphere and the eastern Atlantic. From France (Bay of Biscay) to Senegal, including the western Mediterranean, the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. It is also found from Namibia to South Africa. It is present on the seamounts of the southern Indian Ocean and very common around Australia and New Zealand. It is also found along the coast of Peru.