Animalia Life

Centrolophus niger
FAMILY
Centrolophidae
TAXONOMY
Perca nigra Gmelin, 1788, eastern Atlantic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Blackfish; French: Centrolophe noir; German: Schwarzfisch; Spanish: Romerillo.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Length 43.3 in (110 cm). Elongate, with a rather small head and large eyes; continuous dorsal fin extends most of the length of the body (with 4–5 weak spines and 32–38 rays); anal fin with 3 spines and 20–27 rays; pelvic fins small, under pectorals; pectorals with 19–23 rays; caudal fin weakly forked; mouth rather wide, extending posteriorly beneath eyes; coloration dark bluish gray, but sometimes darker.
DISTRIBUTION
Western (from Nova Scotia to New Jersey) and eastern North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, and also the Pacific Ocean off Australia, New Zealand, and South America.
HABITAT
Temperate oceanic waters. Young specimens occur near surface; larger individuals are mesopelagic. Specimens have been captured as deep as 1,968 ft (600 m) off Australia and New Zealand.
BEHAVIOR
Little is known concerning its
BEHAVIOR
. Small specimens have been found in association with jellyfishes, but adults may form schools.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds on jellyfishes, squids, and different kinds of crustaceans. Preyed on by hake and possibly other larger fishes.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Eggs and larvae are pelagic; eggs are spherical, small (0.05 in/0.12 cm in diameter) and contain a single oil globule. Hatching occurs at about 0.16 in (0.4 cm) standard length, flexion at 0.2 in (0.6 cm), adult body form attained at 0.7 in (1.7 cm). Growth reported to be relatively fast. Probably a broadcast spawner.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Not significantly consumed and therefore of minor importance.

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