The spatial distribution patterns and nutritional status of the kichiji rockˆsh Sebastolobus macrochir were investigated oŠ the Paciˆc coast of Hokkaido during the summer of 2001 2004. Fish100 mm SL were chie‰y distributed at depths of 550 750 m oŠ the southeastern area of Cape Erimo where their principal prey, gammarid amphipods, were abundant. The 101 150 mm SLˆsh were concentrated in shallow areas where their principal prey, the decapod Neocrangon communis, was abundant. Conversely,ˆsh151 mm SL were observed to utilize various prey items and were widely distributed in the study area, suggesting a foraging strategy to reduce the intra-and inter-speciˆc competition for food and to obtain food e‹ciently. The condition factor and hepatosomatic index of S. macrochir tended to decrease with increased depth. Given that the principal prey of S. macrochir ranged from decapods (high energy content) to ophiuroids (low energy content) with increased depth, the variation in the nutritional status ofˆsh could be related to diŠerences in the energy content of their prey. Despite feeding on prey items with a relatively high energy content, the nutritional status of 101 150 mm SLˆsh was low. This is probably due to the fact that theˆsh in this size class grow rapidly.