Depth
Centrolophus · Bony Fish

Rudderfish

Centrolophus niger

40-1050m
Depth Range
150cm
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
40-1050m
Depth Range
150cm
Max Size
Deep pelagic
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Solitary
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Moderate
Sighting Likelihood
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Genus Centrolophus
Species niger

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationDeep, oval body that is uniformly dark brown to black. Rounded head with a small mouth. Single long dorsal fin. The body is covered in small, ctenoid scales.
  • SizeUp to 100 cm total length and 5 kg, commonly 30 to 50 cm.
  • Social HabitUsually solitary. Juveniles sometimes associate with floating debris and jellyfish in the open ocean.
  • HabitatMidwater in the open ocean. Occasionally found near the coast, especially juveniles.
  • DepthSurface to 1,000 m.
  • Feeds OnJellyfish, salps, small crustaceans, and small fish.
  • DistributionWorldwide in temperate and subtropical seas, including the Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionA dark, open-ocean fish rarely seen by coastal divers. Juveniles drift with floating objects and jellyfish in the open sea. Adults inhabit deeper midwater. Its uniformly dark body and large size make it distinctive when encountered.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Adults inhabit deep pelagic and benthopelagic waters from 40 to over 1000 metres depth, typically over continental slopes and oceanic basins. In the Mediterranean, it is an uncommon deep-water species 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

Juveniles associate with floating objects, jellyfish and surface debris in open water. Adults transition to a solitary deep-water existence in cold, dark conditions over soft muddy bottoms.

Encounter Tips

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

Rudderfish species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

Feeds on jellyfish, small fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. Juveniles are particularly associated with jellyfish, both feeding on them and using them for shelter.

Jellyfish Feeder

Reproduction

Spawns in deep open water. Juveniles live a pelagic surface life for an extended period before gradually descending to the deep habitats occupied by adults.

Deep-Water Spawner

Behaviour & Defence

Its dark uniform colouration provides camouflage in deep, poorly lit water. Juveniles gain protection from predators by sheltering among the stinging tentacles of jellyfish.

Jellyfish Shelter

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Centrolophus niger may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red List Least 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
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide