Teleostei (teleosts) >
Zeiformes (Dories) >
Oreosomatidae (Oreos) > Oreosomatinae
Etymology: Allocyttus: Greek, allos = other + Greek, kyttaros, kytos = a convex cavity; niger: niger refers to the blackish color of freshly caught specimens. It also reflects the common name "black oreo", which has been widely used in the New Zealand deepwater fishery for several years (Ref. 27159).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 560 - 1300 m (Ref. 6390). Deep-water; 43°S - 55°S, 65°E - 174°W (Ref. 27159)
Southwest Pacific: New Zealand and Australian waters south of 43°S, and south of Tasmania at 47°S. Also Ref. 26139.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 36 - ? cm
Max length : 47.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 6390); common length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9258); max. published weight: 1.5 kg (Ref. 6390); max. reported age: 153 years (Ref. 54100)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Found close to the sea bed in deep water. Form large shoals over rough ground near pinnacles and canyons. Juveniles are pelagic and inhabit oceanic waters. They tend to be dispersed over smooth grounds (Ref. 6390). Feed mainly on salps and benthic crustaceans (Ref. 27150). Eggs float near the sea surface and larvae also inhabit surface waters (Ref. 6390). Based on trawl catch rates, there is no evidence of vertical migration during day or night (Ref. 27150).
Displays seasonally synchronised reproduction.
James, G.D., T. Inada and I. Nakamura, 1988. Revision of the oreosomatid fishes (Family Oreosomatidae) from the southern oceans, with a description of a new species. N.Z. J. Zool. 15:291-326. (Ref. 27159)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial
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