 The diet of tilefish larvae is unknown , but it is believed to be zooplankton . Juvenile and adults are omnivorous with a preference for small benthic invertebrates , with a staple being crabs and lobster . Great northern tilefish also consume bivalve molluscs , salps , squid , Atlantic dogfish , <unk> , hagfish and herring . Human trash is also eaten , including potato peels and meat bones have also been noted . It will also eat other tilefish in a display of cannibalistic characteristics . 
