ANIMAL SPECIES:Escolar, Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Smith, 1849)
The Escolar has a fusiform (tapering towards both ends) body, with four to six finlets behind the second dorsal and anal fins. It has a strong keel on the side of the caudal peduncle, which is flanked by a smaller keel above and below. Its upper jaw has two pairs of fangs anteriorly.
Identification
The Escolar has a fusiform (tapering towards both ends) body, with four to six finlets behind the second dorsal and anal fins. It has a strong keel on the side of the caudal peduncle, which is flanked by a smaller keel above and below. Its upper jaw has two pairs of fangs anteriorly.
The species is dark brown becoming almost black as it ages.
Size range
It grows to over 2 m in length.Distribution
The Escolar is found throughout tropical and temperate seas worldwide.
In Australia it is recorded from southern Queensland around the south of the continent and up the west coast to the north-west Shelf of Western Australia.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
Its diet includes squids, crustaceans and other fishes.
Classification
- Species:
- flavobrunneum
- Genus:
- Lepidocybium
- Family:
- Gempylidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Nakamura, I & N.V. Parin. 1993. Snake Mackerels and Cutlassfishes of the World. An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of the Snake Mackerels, Snoeks, Escolars, Gemfishes, Sackfishes, Domine, Oilfish, Cutlassfishes, Scabbardfishes, Hairtails and Frostfishes Known to Date. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 15. FAO. Rome. Pp. 136.
- Yearsley, G.K, P.R. Last, & R.D. Ward. 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook: Domestic Species. CSIRO Marine Research. Pp. 461. in Nature Australia. 26(8):74.
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