Main identification features
- head 26-32 percentsl
- 2nd dorsal fin 36-42
- gill rakers 18-25
Elongate, compressed, tapering to a narrow tail base; head large (26-32.4% of standard length) and flattened, with a V shape crest on top; large eyes and mouth, lower jaw slightly projecting; jaw teeth long, strong and pointed; 18-25 relatively long rakers on first gill arch; fins without spines; 2 separate dorsal fins, the 1st shorter and higher, the 2nd with a long base (36-42 rays) and partly divided by a notch; well developed, nonfilamentous pelvic fins, situated before the pectorals; pectoral long – reaches past anal fin origin; tail fin short, slightly forked; scales small, 106-130 on the lateral line.
Color: Back metallic blue; flanks silvery.
Size: 87cm.
Habitat: pelagic.
Depth: 50-500 m.
Central Peru to Ecuador and the Galapagos.
M gayi includes two subspecies; M. g. peruanus, and M. g. gayi, from Chile.
Attributes
Cites: Not listed.
Climate Zone: Equatorial (Costa Rica to Ecuador + Galapagos, Clipperton, Cocos, Malpelo); South Temperate (Peruvian Province ).
Depth Range Max: 500 m.
Depth Range Min: 50 m.
Diet: octopus/squid/cuttlefish; bony fishes; Pelagic crustacea.
Eastern Pacific Range: Northern limit=2; Southern limit=-14; Western limit=-93; Eastern limit=-76; Latitudinal range=16; Longitudinal range=17.
Egg Type: Pelagic; Pelagic larva.
Feeding Group: Carnivore.
FishBase Habitat: Bathypelagic.
Global Endemism: East Pacific endemic; TEP non-endemic; All species.
Habitat: Water column.
Inshore Offshore: Inshore; Offshore; In & Offshore.
IUCN Red List: Not evaluated / Listed.
Length Max: 87 cm.
Regional Endemism: Peruvian province, primarily; Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) non-endemic; Island (s); Continent; Temperate Eastern Pacific, primarily; Continent + Island (s); All species.
Residency: Resident.
Salinity: Marine; Marine Only.
Water Column Position: Near Surface; Mid Water; Near Bottom; Water column only;
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