ANIMAL SPECIES:Viperfish, Chauliodus sloani Bloch & Schneider, 1801
The Viperfish is one of the most recognizable deep sea fishes with its long fang-like teeth and photophores illuminating the side of its body.
Identification
The Viperfish can be recognised by its large mouth, long fang-like teeth and long first dorsal fin ray (up to half the body length). It is an iridescent dark silver-blue colour in life with pale fins. The sides of the body are covered with hexagonal pigmented areas, each with one or more small photophores.
Size range
The Viperfish grows to over 30 cm in length.Distribution
The Viperfish occurs in tropical and temperate marine waters world-wide.
In Australia, specimens have been collected from south-western Western Australia, around the north of the country and south to Tasmania.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Viperfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
Like many other species of deepsea fishes, the Viperfish is known to vertically migrate. During the day it is found at depths from 500 m to 2500 m, but at night it swims up into shallower water (less than 600 m) where food is more plentiful.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
It feeds mostly on crustaceans and small fishes. The first dorsal fin has photophores that are believed to attract prey.
Mating and reproduction
Little is known of the reproduction of this species, but it is believed to spawn externally. This means that the males and females release sperm and eggs into the water where fertilization occurs.
Classification
- Species:
- sloani
- Genus:
- Chauliodus
- Family:
- Chauliodontidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Gomon, M.F & E.M. Robertson. in Gomon, M.F, C.J.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Harold, A.S. 1999. Chauliodontidae. In Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 3. Batoid fishes, chimaeras and bony fishes part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-vi, 1398-2068.
- McCulloch, A.R. 1916. Report on some fishes obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour on the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South and South-Western Australia. Part 4. Biol. Res. Endeavour 4(4):169-199 figs 1-2, pls 49-58 [179 pl 52].
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A 25 cm long Viperfish. View full size
Mark McGrouther
© NORFANZ Founding Parties
The head of Viperfish trawled off Norfolk Island. View full size
Mark McGrouther
© NORFANZ Founding Parties
A Viperfish from the Australian Museum Fish Collection View full size
Stuart Humphries
© Australian Museum
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