Family : Gempylidae (Snake mackerels)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Escolar
Fish Name : Lepidocybium flavobrunneum
Max size : 200 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 6181); max. published weight: 45.0 kg (Ref. 3403)
Environment : benthopelagic; oceanodromous ; depth range 200 - 1100 m
Climate : deep-water; 50°N - 48°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming tm=4-5)Distribution : Tropical and temperate seas of the world, but probably not occurring in the northern Indian Ocean. Northwest Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951). Eastern Atlantic: known from 13°N off Guinea to Lobutu, Angola (Ref. 10816).
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 8-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 1-2; Anal soft rays: 12-14; Vertebrae: 31. Body almost uniformly dark brown, becoming almost black with age. Pelvic fins well developed, with I spine and 5 soft rays (Ref. 9784). Prominent lateral keel on caudal peduncle, flanked by smaller accessory keels above and below (Ref. 26938).
Biology : Occurs mainly over the continental slope, down to 200 m and more (Ref. 6181). Migrates upward at night (Ref. 6181). Feeds on squid, crustaceans and a wide variety of fishes (Ref. 6181). Flesh oily and may have purgative properties (Ref. 9784). Sometimes caught by tuna long-liners (Ref. 26938). Marketed frozen and as fish cakes in Japan (Ref. 9302)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Parin, Nikolay V.
Main Ref : Nakamura, I. and N.V. Parin. 1993. (Ref. 6181)

India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses