DEEP-WATER ICHTHYOPLANKTON OF THE SKAGERRAK WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CORYPHAENOIDES-RUPESTRIS GUNNERUS, 1765 (PISCES, PACROURIDAE) AND ARGENTINA-SILUS (ASCANIUS, 1775) (PISCES, ARGENTINIDAE)

Two species, Coryphaenoides rupestris and Argentina silus, were abundant in the ichthyoplankton of the 150-550 m depth zone of the Skagerrak in 1992. Eggs of C. rupestris occurred only in October and December and a single yolk sac larva was caught in December. Postlarvae and juveniles occurred in all months (Feb, Apr, Jun, Oct, Dec) and showed a continuous increase in length through the year. This confirms earlier indications of a single late autumn spawning period. By October the juveniles had attained a demersal mode of life. Argentina silus eggs and larvae occurred year-round, but eggs were most abundant in the spring. Most of the other fish eggs and larvae were probably caught incidentally in surface layers. Exceptions may he four postlarval Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.