Greater Argentine

Scales with tiny spines on exposed parts. Dorsal fin begins above or nearly above tip of pectoral fin (Ref. 7251). Swim bladder elongated and silvery. Body slender to robust (Ref. 37473).

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Analsoft rays: 11 - 17

Feeds dominantly on fragmented salps and ctenophores and unidentifiable soft tissues (Ref. 51904). All the identified organisms in the stomachs are pelagic in habit and presumably obtained in the benthopelagic environment immediately above the sea bed (Ref. 51904). Parasites of the species include Lecithophyllum botryophorum, Derogenes varicus, Hemiurus levinseni, Lampritrema miescheri and L. nipponicum (trematodes) (Ref. 5951).

Bathypelagic (Ref. 58426). Prefer depths of 182.8-255.9 m, temperature 7-10°C and mean salinity 34 ppt (Ref. 5951). Probably form schools close to the bottom. Feeds on planktonic invertebrates including euphausiids, amphipods (arrow worms, krill and Thermisto (Ref. 5951)), chaetognaths, squids and ctenophores, also small fishes. Spawns from April to July (Ref. 4773). Growth is slow. Eggs and young are pelagic at depths of 400-500m. Used fresh or in fish meal production (Ref. 35388).

fisheries: commercial

The greater argentine (Argentina silus ; synonymous with Salmo silus), also known as the Atlantic argentine, great silver smelt, herring smelt or simply smelt, is a northern Atlantic herring smelt and can be found at depths from 140 to 1,440 metres (460 to 4,720 ft). This species reaches a length of 70.0 centimetres (27.6 in) SL. It is of commercial importance and it is used as seafood.

Feeds on planktonic invertebrates including euphausiids, amphipods, chaetognaths, squids and ctenophores, also small fishes

Davis Strait to George's Bank

Probably form schools close to the bottom.

benthic