Phycis blennoides (BrĂ¼nnich, 1768)
Greater forkbeard
photo by Cambraia Duarte, P.M.N. (c)ImagDOP

Family:  Phycidae (Phycid hakes)
Max. size:  110 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 3,540.0 g; max. reported age: 20 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 10 - 1351 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Norway and Iceland to Cape Blanc, West Africa; also the Mediterranean.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Pelvic fin rays extremely elongated, reaching well beyond the origin of the anal fin. First dorsal fin with an elongate ray. Body color is brown to red-gray dorsally, becoming paler ventrally.
Biology:  Depth range from 10-800 m (Ref. 1371) and from 300-1047 m in the eastern Ionian Sea (Ref. 56504). Found over sand and mud bottoms (Ref. 1371). Young more coastal and found on the continental shelf while adults migrate along the slope (Ref. 1371). Feed mainly on crustaceans and fishes (Ref. 1371). Commonly less than 45 cm TL (Ref. 1371). Marketed fresh, also as fillets and fishmeal (Ref. 1371).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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