Latin name

Antimora rostrata

Other name

Flat-nose codling, blue hake, long-finned cod or violet cod.

Identification

The body of Blue Antimora is elongated, spindle-shaped, slightly compressed at the sides in the caudal region, covered with fine, firmly attached cycloid scales and a thick layer of mucus. The head is small, about 24-26% of the standard body length. The snout protrudes conspicuously forward beyond the apex of the mouth and has a characteristic spatulate shape, pointed at the apex, with flattened lateral edges. The eye is of medium size, about 3-8% of the standard length. Mandibular antennae short, about 1.7-2.4% of the standard length. The mouth is subterminal. The teeth on the jaws are bristle shaped, the teeth on the coulter are very fine. The lateral line is long. There are 76-90 gill lobes on the first gill arch. The swim bladder is present. The total number of vertebrae is 58-60, including 27-29 trunk vertebrae and 30-33 tail vertebrae.

Features of fish fins

The first, rather short dorsal fin has 5-7 flexible rays, the first ray is filiform, highly elongated and about 12-20% of the standard length. The second dorsal fin is very long, with 50-56 rays. The anal fin is bipartite, with 37-44 rays. Pectoral fins are short; pelvic fin has 6 rays, the anterior ray is very long. Caudal fin weakly emarginated. 

Fish colouring

The overall colouration is intense black with a bluish tinge, especially on the fins. Individuals with grey and bluish colouration are also found.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution. Occurs at a wide range of depths from the outer edge of the shelf to the lower zone of the continental slope in all oceans except the North Pacific. In the Pacific it is distributed southwards from 10°N to Tasmania and the continental slope of Antarctica, in the Atlantic - from Davis Strait (66°N) to South Georgia, in the Indian Ocean - to the continental slope of Antarctica. It has been recorded on submarine ridges. Not found in semi-enclosed pseudo abyssal seas - Mediterranean, Red Sea, Sea of Japan, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. 

Habitat

It has been recorded at depths from 300-400 to 3000 metres, but is most commonly caught between 800 and 1800 metres. Females are found at greater depths, while males are usually found at mid-bathyal depths.

Size

It is a relatively large species, with females reaching a standard length of 75 cm, but usually less than 60 cm. Males are smaller, usually less than 40 cm. Maximum reported weight is 3.3 kg. Maximum reported age is 44 years.

Behavior

Its biology is poorly understood. It has a benthic-pelagic lifestyle and prefers muddy bottoms. There is a depth segregation of adult males and females in this species, which begins when the fish reach an average length of 322 mm. Females are distributed in deeper horizons than males.

Food and feeding habits

They feed on shrimps, amphipods and other crustaceans, as well as small cephalopods and fish. A detailed study of their diet is difficult because most fish caught rise from great depths by inflating their swim bladders, which expel their guts and stomach through the mouth.

Reproduction

May move offshore with age and spawn in deep habitat. The population is thought to use area off the east coast of the United States only as a feeding ground, with spawning occurring further north. 

Fishing

This species may be caught as by-catch in bottom trawl and bottom longline fisheries. It does not form commercial aggregations and is of no interest to commercial fisheries.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.