Additional records and biological observations of two rare species in the Strait of Sicily: scalloped ribbonfish Zu cristatus (Bonelli, 1819) and the Mediterranean dealfish Trachipterus trachypterus (Gmelin, 1789)

On November 2023 and February 2024, juvenile specimens of the Zu cristatus (Bonelli, 1819) and Trachipterus trachypterus Gmelin 1789 were caught in the Strait of Sicily during two different bottom trawl surveys. The Z. cristatus specimen measured 420 mm in total length and 87.01 g in weight whereas the T. trachypterus measured 315 mm in total length and 15.64 g in weight. The present study constitutes the deepest record of Z. cristatus in the Strait of Sicily. In addition, an age estimation and an update on the geographical distribution of these Trachipteridae species in this region were also presented. Based on the growth increments of calcified structures (vertebrae and otoliths), the estimated age was 3 years for the Z. cristatus specimen and 2 years for T. trachipterus.