Longnose Lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox Lowe, 1833
Scientific name: Alepisaurus ferox
Alternative name/s:
Lancetfish
Lancetfish
Click to enlarge image
Longnose Lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox. A Longnose Lancetfish found by Stan Fenton, washed up on Blinky beach, Lord Howe Island, August 2012. The fish is now registered in the fish collection (I.46137-001).
Image: Jimmy Maher
© Jimmy Maher
© Jimmy Maher
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Alepisaurus
- Species
- ferox
- Family
- Alepisauridae
- Order
- Aulopiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- It grows to 2.15 m in length.
Introduction
The Longnose Lancetfish has a large mouth with fangs and a high, sail-like dorsal fin running along the dorsal margin.
Identification
The dorsal fin origin is positioned above the rear margin of the operculum. It's anterior rays are long. Large fangs are present on both jaws, those of the top jaw project from vomer.
The snout is longer than the aptly named Shortnose-Lancetish (at least 40% Head Length vs. less than 40% Head Length).
Longnose Lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox. A Longnose Lancetfish found by Stan Fenton, washed up on Blinky beach, Lord Howe Island, August 2012. The fish is now registered in the fish collection (I.46137-001).
Image: Jimmy Maher
© Jimmy Maher
© Jimmy Maher
Distribution
The species occurs circumglobally in tropical and some temperate waters.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
