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Alepocephaliformes (Slickheads and tubeshoulders) >
Alepocephalidae (Slickheads)
Etymology: Alepocephalus: Greek, alepos, alepidotos = without scales + Greek, kephale = head (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Risso.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 300 - 2250 m (Ref. 28822). Deep-water; 64°N - 17°S, 22°W - 22°E (Ref. 57317)
Eastern Atlantic: northeast Atlantic and western Mediterranean to Cape Verde (Ref. 4736); Morocco to Cameroon, then from Angola to Namibia (Ref. 4460).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 27.7  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 50.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4460); max. reported age: 23 years (Ref. 32893)
Found over soft bottoms (Ref. 4736). Feeds on pelagic crustaceans like euphausiids, decapods and mysids (Ref. 27637).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Markle, D.F., 1981. Family Alepocephalidae. In W. Fischer, G. Bianchi and W.B. Scott (eds.) FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Eastern Central Atlantic; fishing areas 34, 47 (in part). Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and FAO. vols. 1-7. pag. var. (Ref. 2719)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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