Common names
Antarctic butterfish, Bluenose sea bass, Blue Eye Cod, Blue eye, Deepsea trevally, Blue bream, Bonita, Matiri, Griffin's silverfish, Stone eye, Bluenose warehou
Blue-eye trevalla
Hyperoglyphe antarctica
- Saltwater
Max length55 in
Common length23.5 in
Length typeTotal Length
Max weight138 lb 14 oz
Depth range132 - 4920 ft
Max age15 years
Water typeSaltwater
Fish info
Short description
Bluenose warehou are distinguished by their blunt snout and low-set large eyes. The colour varies from silvery on the sides and belly, with a dark metallic steel blue-black to grey back to pinkish brown with a purplish tinge. The eyes of the fish are a deep blue with a golden ring. The caudal fin of the fish is forked and the fins are generally a dark metallic grey. It has two dorsal fins and small scales. The first has short, stout spines, and is joined by a membrane to the base of the second dorsal fin, which is higher and longer based. The pectoral fins are falcate and the caudal fin is forked. The head has many small pores.
Habitat
The fish are found over rough ground and at the edges of canyons and steep drop-offs, they appear to prefer cold water. Juveniles inhabit surface waters, sometimes in association with floating debris.
Distribution
Bluenose warehou are found in the southwest and southeast Atlantic, the West Indian Ocean, off South Africa, as well as New Zealand and Australia. In Australia found in offshore waters of southern Australia (except for WA).
Behaviour
Generally, close to the sea bed during the day and move up in the water column at night, following concentrations of food. Feed primarily on the pelagic tunicate which is found near the sea bed during the day but dispersed throughout the water column at night. They also feed on squid, mollusks and crustaceans and fish ranging from small lanternfish to large fish such as gemfish. Juveniles consume small planktonic and sedentary organisms.
Edibility
Excellent, the bluenose warehou is a great eating fish, the flesh is very similar to groper/hapuka.