Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Gempylidae
- Genus
- Rexea
- Species
- prometheoides
Habitat
Royal escolar inhabits deep pelagic waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, typically at depths of 200 to 500 meters where it avoids surface layers. It prefers open ocean environments near seamounts, continental slopes, and areas like the Saya de Malha Bank, often associating with currents that bring nutrient-rich waters.
Diet
Feeds on fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods.
Behavior
Royal escolar are typically solitary or form loose schools, actively hunting during twilight hours in deep waters. They exhibit fast swimming and ambush predation to catch prey, and may undertake seasonal migrations following food sources. This species is not particularly territorial but avoids shallow areas.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.