GREENEYES

Greeneyes are deep-sea aulopiform marine fishes in the small family Chlorophthalmidae. Thought to have a circumglobal distribution in tropical and temperate waters, the family contains just 18 species in two genera. The family name Chlorophthalmidae derives from thegreek words chloros meaning "green" and ophthalmos meaning "eye".Some species are of interest to commercial and subsistence fisheries the fish are made into fish meal or sold fresh.Aptly named after their disproportionately large, iridescent  eyes, greeneyes are slender fish with slightly compressed bodies. The largest species, the Shortnose greeneye (Chlorophthalmus agassizi) reaches a length of 40 centimetres (16 in), but most other species are much smaller. Their heads are small with large jaws. The coloration ranges from a yellowish to blackish brown, and some species have cryptic blotches.Their fins are simple and spineless; aside from their eyes, some species also have iridescent patches covering the head

Greeneyes are generally deepwater fish, found from 50 metres (160 ft) down to about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). They seem to prefer thecontinental and shelves, possibly forming schools. Greeneyes are known to primarily feed on benthic invertebrates, as well as pelagic crustaceans such as decapods and mysids.Like many aulopiform fish, greeneyes are hermaphroditic; this is thought to be a great advantage in deep-sea habitats, where the chances of running into a compatible mate are uncertain. Young and larval greeneyes are pelagic rather than benthic, staying within the upper levels of the water column. Hake are known predators of greeneyes.