Author: Mitchill, 1818
Hyperoglyphe perciformis Mitchill, 1818
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Hyperoglyphe perciformis (Mitchill, 1818) (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: moderately deep body, broad naked head more than 30% SL. Large mouth with small teeth in a single series in jaws; no teeth on roof of mouth. Single dorsal fin with 7 or 8 stout dorsal spines shorter than and not graduating in length to the dorsal finrays which follow. D VII-VIII + 19-21; A III + 15-17; P 20-22; pelvic fins originating under pectoral fin base. Lateral line scales 89-95. Colour: mottled dark greenish to almost black. Young lighter. Size: to 80 cm SL.
Habitat: deep-water over continental slopes. Adults in submarine canyons, young more widely found in surface layers and may occur at times close inshore around docks. Behaviour: young to 30 cm common in large groups during summer and autumn under floating boards, boxes and barrels. Does not associate with medusae. Adults probably schooling at depth, but not on the bottom. Food: small fishes and crustaceans. Reproduction: probably a spring spawner.
Distribution: occasionally juveniles accompany floating objects across the Atlantic and have been recorded from Ireland, around the British Isles, off Portugal and the western Mediterranean (Karrer, 1986) Elsewhere, western Atlantic, from Nova Scotia to Florida.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. No data.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.