Phycis sp. Artedi, 1792

Greater fork-beard

Phycis of the family Phycidae is a small genus with only two species recorded from the North-East Atlantic. Phycis blennoides is the more widely distributed species present in the main study area.The preferred habitat of Phycis blennoides appears to be that of a sandy or muddy bottom at between 150 and 300 meters, although it has been found into the littoral zone. Distribution of this species is widespread in the North-East Atlantic from Iceland and Norway South to the Mediterranean. Reproduction takes place in spring and early summer (Whitehead et al., 1986a).

They are a moderately elongate fish with two dorsal and one anal fin. The third ray of the dorsal fin is elongate. Pelvic fins are long, extending beyond the origin of the anal fin – this characteristic is what gives Phycis blennoides its common name of the Greater fork-beard (Whitehead et al., 1986a).

During the present survey Phycis were not seen regularly. However, when present they were generally observed resting or hovering just above the seabed, sometimes adjacent to a coral outcrop.  They did not appear to be disturbed by the presence of the camera.  

Phycis appear to have only recently been removed from the family Gadidae and placed in the family Phycidae, which has been elevated from subfamily level (Costello et al., 2001).

The species does not appear to be of commercial importance.

There is more information on the family Phycidae in FishBase.

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