Boar-fish
Otolith description
The general otolith shape is lobate, one lobe ventrally and one dorsally. The sulcus runs diagonally from the anterior down to the posterior, below the centre of the otolith. The sulcus is open at both sides and very deep. Ostium and cauda are not distinguishable. The dorsal lobe is rounded with a highly irregular inner surface and margin. The ventral lobe is rounded and the inner surface and margin are smooth. The ventral lobe is indented between the rostrum and ventral margin. The rostrum is well developed and rounded, while the antirostrum is pointed and of the same size as the rostrum. The anterior margin is indented at the sulcus. The posterior margin is also indented at the sulcus but there is also a smaller indentation just above the sulcus. The otolith is thick. The inside is convex and the outside is concave. The otolith is wider than long and length does not exceed 3 mm.
When eroded the otoliths are rounded and the inner surface smoothed but the sulcus remains visible.
Fish length and distribution
Boar-fish can grow up to 17 cm. Boar-fish is (CAPRAPER.TIF) found in deep water of the lower continental shelf. Juveniles are pelagic, while adults are found in schools near the bottom. It is common only locally and can be common for a period of a few years and after that disappear for a longer period. It spawns in summer (Wheeler, 1978, Nijssen and De Groot, 1987, Muus et al., 1999).
Boar-fish is found along the Eastern Atlantic and North Sea continental shelf.
Sample origin
Celtic Sea.