Identification
The argentine is a slender, elongated fish of 15-25 cm with remarkably large eyes and a pointed snout. The body is uniformly silvery with a light yellow-green back. The large eyes are an adaptation to life in deep, dark water. The mouth is small, lacking jaw teeth but with distinctive teeth on the tongue.
Ecology
Lives in schools at 50-400 meters depth over muddy or sandy bottoms. Rises in the water column at night to feed on plankton and small crustaceans.
In the Netherlands
Found in the deeper parts of the North Sea. Occasionally caught as bycatch by commercial fishermen. Not a sport fish species.
