Tetragonurus atlanticus Lowe, 1839
Bigeye squaretail
Tetragonurus atlanticus
photo by Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada

Family:  Tetragonuridae (Squaretails)
Max. size:  50 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 800 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Atlantic, Indian and Pacific: in tropical and subtropical waters. Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia in Canada to Panama (Ref. 7251).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 14-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-12; Vertebrae: 44-51. Light brown to nearly black in color.
Biology:  Oceanic, mostly in the upper 91 m but adults probably deeper (Ref. 7251). Occasionally strays close to shore (Ref. 7251). Young commonly inquiline in pelagic tunicates, especially Salpa and Pyrosoma (Ref. 11149). Feeds on soft-bodied medusae, ctenophores and especially salps; will also take plankton (Ref. 11149). The flesh may be poisonous (Ref. 27121).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  poisonous to eat
Country info:   
 


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