The giant silver hatchet, or Argyropelecus gigas, is a deep-sea fish rarely observed by sport fishermen in Quebec. This fish is mainly known for its ability to live in the abyssal zones of the oceans, far from Quebec's shores. Although it has no direct interest for sport fishing due to its life in the open sea, it arouses curiosity for its bioluminescence and adaptation to extreme environments. The giant silver hatchet is not present in the coastal waters of Quebec but can be found in the depths of the North Atlantic, often at depths exceeding 500 meters.

The giant silver hatchet has a laterally compressed, disc-shaped body, resembling a hatchet, hence its name. Its reflective silver color is due to its very fine and luminous scales. This fish also possesses photophores, light-producing organs located along its belly, which allow it to camouflage itself in the deep waters by mimicking the light coming from the surface. Its mouth is relatively small with fine teeth, adapted to capture small prey. The fins are well-developed for its size, with a dorsal fin located toward the back of the body and a forked caudal fin. Juveniles resemble adults but may have slightly different proportions. There is no pronounced sexual dimorphism between males and females.

The giant silver hatchet is not present in the coastal waters of Quebec. It inhabits the deep waters of the North Atlantic, often at depths of 500 to 2000 meters. Due to its habitat far from the shores and the great depths it frequents, it is not accessible to sport or commercial fishermen in the Quebec regions. In the general area of the North Atlantic, it is more likely to be observed by specialized scientific expeditions.

The giant silver hatchet prefers deep and abyssal waters, often beyond 500 meters in depth. It is adapted to low-light and high-pressure environments. These fish are generally found in areas where the water temperature is cold, between 4 and 10 °C. They use their photophores to camouflage themselves from predators in these dark environments. To observe them, specialized equipment such as submersibles or underwater cameras would need to be used, as they do not approach the shores or shallow waters.

The giant silver hatchet has a life cycle adapted to deep environments. Spawning likely occurs at significant depths, although the exact details are poorly documented due to the inaccessibility of their habitat. The eggs and larvae are pelagic, floating in the water column until they reach a sufficient size to descend into the depths. Growth is relatively rapid, reaching sexual maturity in one to two years. The longevity of this species is estimated to be between 3 and 5 years. Spring: Spawning in depth → Summer: Growth of juveniles → Autumn: Daily vertical migration → Winter: Stable deep life.

The giant silver hatchet is a social fish, often observed in small groups. It performs daily vertical migrations, rising to shallower waters at night to feed and descending during the day to protect itself from predators. This behavior is influenced by light, as it uses its photophores for camouflage. Environmental disturbances, such as changes in pressure or temperature, can affect their behavior, although they are naturally adapted to extreme conditions.

The diet of the giant silver hatchet varies with age. Juveniles primarily consume zooplankton, while adults feed on small fish and crustaceans. Their diet is opportunistic, depending on the availability of prey in their deep environment. At night, they rise to shallower waters to feed, capturing prey that are more active or abundant at those levels.

The giant silver hatchet is not influenced by the seasons in the same way as coastal fish due to its deep-water habitat where conditions remain relatively stable throughout the year. However, nighttime vertical migrations may be more pronounced on moonless nights when ambient light is minimal. Twilight and dawn hours are critical for their feeding. Surface weather conditions, such as wind or rain, have little impact on their behavior due to their deep habitat.

As the giant silver hatchet is not targeted by sport fishing, there are no specific lure or color recommendations for this species. However, for deep-sea fish in general, luminous or phosphorescent lures may be used to attract attention in dark environments.

To observe the giant silver hatchet, the use of deep diving gear or submersibles is necessary. Traditional fishing rods are not suitable for capturing this species due to the depth at which it lives. Underwater research equipment, such as cameras and sensors, is more appropriate for studying their habitat and behavior.

Direct handling of the giant silver hatchet is rare and generally performed by scientists. If captured for study, it is crucial to minimize stress and handle the fish carefully to avoid injury. Release should be immediate if the goal is to preserve the individual.

Natural predators of the giant silver hatchet include larger deep-sea fish, such as certain sharks and carnivorous fish. Giant squids may also pose a threat. Due to its deep habitat, it is not exposed to avian predators.

The giant silver hatchet is not a threatened species in Quebec due to its habitat far from the coast and human activities. It is not targeted by commercial or sport fishing. The conservation of its habitat depends on the preservation of deep marine ecosystems and limiting the impacts of pollution and climate change on the oceans.