DEALFISH (TRACHYPTERUS ARCTICUS)

This is a long, flattened, deep water fish with a wide distribution in the Atlantic and northern North Sea.  This species is found down to depths of 900 m but frequents depths nearer the surface during the night.  Dealfish have a long dorsal fin, usually spanning the length of the fish, which is a distinctive red colour.  The body is silvery in colour with one to five dark spots along the upper flank.  The head is generally small in comparison to the body which can be up to 300 cm in length.

Data sources: Collins “Fish of Britain and Europe”

Specimen details:

The dealfish caught by the Sondra measured 97 cm in length and was 32 cm from the dorsal (upper part of the fish) to the ventral (lower part of the fish) sides.  The specimen was missing the head and there were several bite marks along the body suggesting the specimen was dead for some time before being caught.