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Kingfish (Centroberyx lineatus) — Berycidae

Kingfish

Centroberyx lineatus
Family: Berycidae
LC · Least Concern

The Kingfish (Centroberyx lineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Berycidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–280.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The swallowtail nannygai (Centroberyx lineatus) is a deep-water fish of the family Berycidae from temperate seas of the Southern Hemisphere. The species has a streamlined, red-pink to silvery body with fine silvery lengthwise lines, large eyes and a deeply forked tail, and reaches about 46 cm. It lives on rocky reefs of the continental shelf and slope. The large eyes aid vision in the dim deep water. As a predator it feeds on zooplankton and small fishes. The species has firm, valued flesh and is fished commercially, often as bycatch of deep-sea fisheries.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kingfish?

The Kingfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Kingfish live?

The Kingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Kingfish get?

The Kingfish grows to a maximum of about 46 cm.

Is the Kingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Kingfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Kingfish edible?

The Kingfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwaluwstaart-keizersbaars sourced
English name
Kingfish verified
Scientific name
Centroberyx lineatus
Family
Berycidae
Other names
Swallowtail; Swallow-tail verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
280.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Centroberyx

More from the family Berycidae

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