On the occurrence of Schedophilus ovalis (Cuvier, 1833) and S. rnedusophagus Cocco, 1839 (Perciformes, Centrolophidae) in Maltese waters

Abstract

The family Centrolophidae includes Atlantic and Mediterranean pelagic fish which seek shelter under floating debris and which do not reside for very long periods under moored floats such as those used by in Malta for catching dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus Linn.) There are three species from this family which are found occasionally in Maltese waters, two in the genus Schedophilus, S. ovalis (Cuvier, 1833) and S. medusophagus Cocco, 1839 and one in the genus Centrolophus, C niger (Gmelin, 1789). S. ovalis (Cuvier, 1833) (fig.I) can reach a length of one metre while S. medusophagus is much smaller, not exceeding 30 cm in length. These species of fish are known to feed on jellyfish, but they also feed on other marine animals present in the plankton and scavenge dead fish (Debelius 1997).