Overview
The Blue-eye Trevalla is a deep-water fish found in southern Australian waters. With its characteristic blue eyes, it lives at depths between 200 and 500 metres. Its flesh is considered top quality, similar to cod but more flavourful.
Identification
Bright blue eyesFusiform bodyLong dorsal finMeat considered high qualityDark blue colorationForked caudal finSmall pelvic finBroad pectorals
- Body
- The body is elongated and fusiform with a powerful caudal fin.
- Colouration
- Mainly dark blue with silver highlights and distinctive blue eyes.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not obvious
- Growth
- Medium, takes several years to reach adult size.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Stromateidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Centrolophus nigerSeriolella bramaLepidocybium flavobrunneumRuvettus pretiosusScomberomorus commersonXiphias gladius
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- deep_sea, open_sea
- Preferred bottom
- rock, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Along the southern coasts of Australia and in some regions of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.
- Micro-habitat
- Often found near underwater structures and deep reefs.
Prefers structured environments to ambush prey.
Presence by sea area
Au Costa Est TemperataPeak
Au Costa SudPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- squid, small fish, crustaceans
- Secondary prey
- jellyfish, cuttlefish, octopus
- Occasional prey
- zooplankton, fish larvae
- Feeding behaviour
- Opportunistic predator, prefers to hunt at great depths using darkness to its advantage.
- Natural predators
- sharks, large pelagic fish, orcas
Adapts its diet to the availability of prey in the water column.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Resident, generally remains in the same deep areas.
- Seasonal behaviour
- No significant seasonal variations, maintains stable behavior throughout the year.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles often gather in small groups near reef structures.
- Adults
- Adults are solitary and establish a specific hunting territory.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- December, January
- Spawning depth
- Between 200 and 500 meters
- Eggs
- The eggs are pelagic and transparent, small in size.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are initially pelagic and shift to a benthic life as they mature.
- Sexual maturity
- Varies between 3 and 5 years
When to catch Blue-eye Trevalla
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
DayAny time
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
deep reefsnear underwater canyonsunderwater pinnaclesdeep banks
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
deep trollinglongliningsurface netsdeep water bottom fishing
Other applicable
Deep DroppingVertical JiggingSlow JiggingBeach FishingPesca A FondoSurfcasting Leggero
Recommended baits
squidfish piecescrustaceans
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitMetal jig extra heavy (300g+)Slow pitch jigKabura / Tai rubberSoft plastic grande (20-30cm)
Medium
Calamaro interoEsca viva profondaPesce intero mortoPezzo di pesceSgombro interoPolpo mortoSeppia morta
High
Calamaro interoEsca viva profondaJig head + softbait
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fighting and resilient, it executes sudden accelerations to escape.
- Handling
- Use protective gloves to handle the animal safely.
- Release
- Release quickly into the water to minimize stress.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle world record for Blue-eye Trevalla is 39.2 kg, caught off the coast of Tasmania in 2003. This species is known for reaching notable sizes, with specimens easily exceeding 30 kg. The Blue-eye Trevalla is highly valued in the deeper waters of the Southern Hemisphere for its strength and delicious meat.
- In the kitchen
- The meat, similar to cod, is excellent for filleting and baking recipes.
- Cultural notes
- Considered a luxury fish in Australian seafood restaurants.
- Historical notes
- Long sought after in commercial fishing in Australian waters for its prized meat.
