Epigonidae

Family Epigonidae

Epigonus telescopus (Risso, 1810) —Bulls-eye

2,757 specimens were caught at depths between 643 and 1,323 m. Length data were available for 1,372 specimens ranging from 15 to 77 cm TL (42.3±10.4). Habitat and Distribution: pelagic (juveniles) to bathydemersal or benthopelagic (adults) on soft bottoms, between 75 and 1,200 m depth, usually at 300– 800 m. Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific oceans and in the Mediterranean Sea. In the eastern Atlantic it has an antitropical distribution, occurring from Iceland to the Canary Islands and reappearing along the western coast of South Africa. Vulnerability: DD (IUCN), HHV (FishBase).

Epigonus denticulatus Dieuzeide, 1950 —Pencil cardinal

One specimen of 16 cm TL was caught at a depth of 847 m. The species is probably more abundant that it appears, having been confused with juveniles of E. telescopus. Habitat and Distribution: bathydemersal, inhabiting the continental slope from 200 to 830 m depth, although it occurs usually between 300 and 600 m. Circumglobal in warm seas, including the Mediterranean Sea. In the northeastern Atlantic, it is extended from the Bay of Biscay to the west coast of Africa. Vulnerability: DD (IUCN), LMV (FishBase).