Rudderfish

Identification

The blackfish is a robust, oval fish reaching up to 60 cm commonly, up to 150 cm. The entire body is uniformly dark brown to black, making it unmistakable. The head is small relative to the body, the eyes relatively large. The dorsal fin is long and low, running from head to near the tail. The skin is smooth with small, deeply embedded scales and a thick slime layer.

Ecology

An oceanic fish living in the open Atlantic, usually at 200-800 meters depth. Juveniles are often found near floating debris such as driftwood, seaweed, and jellyfish. Adults live solitarily in deep water. Feeds on jellyfish, small fish, and crustaceans.

In the Netherlands

A rare vagrant in the North Sea. Occasionally caught by commercial fishermen or washed up on beaches. Finds are so infrequent that every record is noteworthy.