Depth
Epigonus · Bony Fish

Black Cardinal Fish

Epigonus telescopus

200-800m
Depth Range
75cm
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
200-800m
Depth Range
75cm
Max Size
Bathypelagic
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Loosely aggregating
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Rare
Sighting Likelihood
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassActinopterygii
GenusEpigonus
Speciestelescopus

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationModerately deep, compressed body. Uniform dark brown to black colouration. Very large eyes adapted to deep-water environments. Relatively large mouth.
  • SizeUp to 75 cm total length, commonly 30 to 50 cm.
  • Social HabitOccurs in loose aggregations near deep-water structures. Can be found in small groups over rocky outcrops.
  • HabitatDeep continental slopes and seamounts. Associated with rocky terrain and steep drop-offs far below recreational dive limits.
  • Depth200 to 1,200 m. A deep-water species rarely encountered by divers.
  • Feeds OnSmall fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods found in the deep-sea environment.
  • DistributionWidespread in the Atlantic Ocean from Iceland to South Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionA deep-water species with enormous eyes that betray its life in near-total darkness. Black cardinalfish are occasionally caught as bycatch in deep-sea fisheries but are almost never seen by recreational divers. Their large eyes gather what little light reaches their habitat.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Inhabits deep continental slopes and seamounts between 200 and 800 metres. In the Mediterranean, recorded from deep basins around Malta, Sicily, and the Balearic Islands. Rarely encountered by divers.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Deep-water environments above muddy or rocky slopes, often near submarine canyons and seamount flanks where prey concentrates.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Black Cardinal Fish species card

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Epigonus telescopus may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red ListLeast Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
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