Thyrsitops lepidopoides (Cuvier, 1832)
White snake mackerel
Thyrsitops lepidopoides
photo by Fischer, L.G.

Family:  Gempylidae (Snake mackerels)
Max. size:  40 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 30 - 350 m
Distribution:  Southwest Atlantic: off Rio de Janeiro (Ref. 47377), southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Southeast Pacific: off Chile.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 17-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 15-17; Vertebrae: 33-33. Lateral line single, slightly curving anteriorly, then fairly straight and oblique. Body is dark blue with metallic tint (Ref. 6181).
Biology:  Mesobenthopelagic (Ref. 47377). Inhabits the continental slope (Ref. 6181). Feeds on small fishes (Ref. 6181) and euphausiids (Ref. 47377). Since 1980, no catches have been reported, except for 21 t caught in 1990 by Argentina (Ref. 6181). Good for smoked fish and fish and chips (Ref. 6181).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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