Trevalla
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The Blue eye trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica), also known as Bluenose or Deep Sea Trevalla, is a fish found in temperate locations of the Southern Hemisphere (South Africa and Australia).
General Characteristics
Blue eye trevalla have a dark blue body above and lighter blue below with large eyes (another name for this fish is Big Eye). Larger individuals have a bronze sheen along the flanks.
They can grow to 1.4m in length and over 50kg in weight. Studies have shown that fish between 62-72cm are mature and range in age between 8-12 years respectively. Mature females can produce between 2-11 million eggs prior to spawning.
Blue eye mainly feed on the tunicate Pyrosoma atlantica. However they will feed on a range of fish, molluscs, squid and crustaceans, they are also cannibalistic.
Reproduction and Distribution
Spawning appears to occur in an area north east of Tasmania during March and April.
Little is known about the egg and larval stages of blue eye. Recently blue eye of approximately 10cm have been found living in association with large masses of floating kelp. It is believed that as these juveniles reach 50cm they become semi-bottom dwelling.
These young fish form schools over hard bottom at depths of around 350-450m, moving to deeper waters as they grow.
These fish are normally found in deep waters out of reach to the majority of recreational anglers. However there is increasing effort targeting these fish recreationally using droplines or deep-water handlines.