Overview
Silvery nocturnal predator, lives deep and rises at night.
Identification
Elongated bodyLong dorsal finsLarge mouthBig eyesNo visible pelvic finsShort pectoral fins
- Body
- Long, laterally compressed body resembling a blade.
- Colouration
- Silvery body with metallic sheen, dark pelvic fins and back.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very noticeable
- Growth
- Fast, especially in early years
Taxonomy
- Family
- Trichiuridae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Trichiurus lepturusAphanopus carboBenthodesmus tenuisEvoxymetopon taeniatusLepidopus fitchi
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- deep_sea, coast
- Preferred bottom
- sand, mud
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Mediterranean Sea and along the Atlantic coasts from Europe to Africa.
- Micro-habitat
- Often rests near the bottom during the day, rising at night to hunt.
Prefers deep environments with low light near the seabed.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Atlantico NePeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Sa Brasile EstPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- small fish, crustaceans, cephalopods
- Secondary prey
- shrimp, squid, crabs
- Occasional prey
- fish larvae, small invertebrates
- Feeding behaviour
- Nocturnal predator, actively hunts its food moving to shallower waters at night.
- Natural predators
- sharks, large predatory fish, marine mammals
Opportunistic predator, known for being effective during nighttime foraging.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Sedentary, but may perform daily vertical movements.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Active year-round but closer to shore in warmer waters.
- Juveniles
- Young are more vulnerable and tend to stay in shallower waters.
- Adults
- Adults prefer deeper waters and are skilled solitary hunters.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- June, July, August, September
- Spawning depth
- between 300 and 100 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, small, transparent.
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larvae, live in plankton until they grow.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Silver scabbardfish
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Day—
Nightnotte, tarda sera
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, autumn and winter, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays deep.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
2°COptimal zone: 5-13°C17°C
Preferred tide: any
Where to catch it
Best spots
deep reefsoffshore areascontinental shelf edgeunderwater canyons
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
bottom longlineslow trollinggillnetbottom fishing
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoDeep DroppingBolentino MedioBolentino PesanteBolentino ProfondoLive BaitingPesca A Fondo PesanteSlow JiggingVertical Jigging
Recommended baits
fresh fishsquidsardinesshrimp
Baits by pressure
Low
Metal jig medio (40-100g)Slow pitch jigFeather jigJig head + softbaitPaddle tail softbaitWire rig con esca vivaSabiki fluorescente
Medium
Esca viva profondaSardina vivaStriscia di calamaroTrancio di sardinaAcciuga vivaPezzo di pesce
High
Esca viva profondaMetal jig medio (40-100g)Sardina viva
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fights with sudden bursts, tends to spiral.
- Handling
- Handle with care due to its shape and sharp fins.
- Release
- Release quickly to minimize stress.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- A specimen of 2.5 meters and over 10 kg was caught off Sicily in 2018, representing one of the largest sizes ever documented in Italy. This species can reach lengths of over 2 meters in the Mediterranean, making it a prized catch among sport fishermen.
- In the kitchen
- Used in soups and fish dishes; widely appreciated in some Italian coastal regions.
- Cultural notes
- Known for its unique shape, features in fishing legends and sea tales.
- Historical notes
- Fished for centuries, often present in local markets during summer months.
