Lives in deep water over continental slopes. Adults in submarine canyons, young more widely found in surface layers and may occur at times close inshore docks. Young to 30 cm common in large groups during summer and autumn under floating boards, boxes and barrels. Does not associate with medusae. Adults probably schooling in depths but not on the bottom. Feed on small fishes and crustaceans; also sqiud and molluscs (Ref. 5951). Probably a spring spawner. (see Ref 4542).