This fish has a dark blue body above and lighter blue below with large eyes (another name for this fish is big eye). Larger individuals have a bronze sheen along the flanks. They can grow to 1.4 m in length and over 50 kg in weight.

Most common over or near rocky areas at 100-300 m. Generally, blue eye remain close to the sea bed during the day and move up in the water column at night, following concentrations of food. The fish are found over rough ground and at the edges of canyons and steep drop-offs. Blue eye appear to prefer cold water as part of their general behavior. Juveniles inhabit surface waters, sometimes in association with floating debris.

Feed primarily on the pelagic tunicate Pyrosoma atlantica which is found near the sea bed during the day but dispersed throughout the water column at night. They also feed on squid, mollusks and crustaceans and fish ranging from small lanternfish (Myctophidae) to large fish such as gemfish (Rexea solandri). Juveniles consume small planktonic and sedentary organisms They can be cannibalistic.

Studies have shown that fish between 62 and 72 cm are mature and range in age between 8–12 years respectively. Mature females can produce between 2 million and 11 million eggs prior to spawning. Juveniles are probably pelagic. Little is known of their biology. Commercially taken as bycatch to deeper line fisheries. Approx 2800 tonnes are caught in NZ each year. Flesh is firm and white, a little dry.

Collins Guide to the Sea fishes of NZ: Ayling & Cox
http://www.fishbase.org/summary/496