Viperfish
Fast Facts
The viperfish is one of the most unusual looking fish in the deep sea. It is also one of the fiercest predators although it is not that big, growing at most to about 12 inches. The viperfish has a large mouth and sharp, fang-like teeth. Its fangs are so large, they cannot fit inside its mouth. Instead they curve back very close to the fish's eyes. The viperfish is thought to use those teeth to skewer its victims by swimming at them at high speeds. The unusually long teeth help the viperfish hold its prey in its mouth while it hunts for other food. Its stomach is large, which allows it to hold a lot of food since food can be scarce sometimes in the deep sea.
Its long dorsal spine is tipped with photophores, light-producing organs. The viperfish uses this light to attract prey. It can flash it on and off. The viperfish can stay completely still while it waves its light around like a fishing lure. It also has photophores along its sides that can help camouflage itself from other predators.
During the day, viperfish stay far below the surface, about 5,000 feet. At night, the fish migrates upwards to about 2,000 feet below the surface where there is more food available. Viperfish can slow down their body functions so they can go for days without food. That adaptation likely came about because food is scarce in the deep sea.
Fast Facts
- eats crustaceans and small fish
- size: about 12 inches
- depth range: 5,000 feet below the surface
- Did you know? The viperfish is believe to have of lifespan between 15 to 30 years. When viperfish are caught and live in captivity, they rarely live longer than a few hours.
The viperfish is one of the most unusual looking fish in the deep sea. It is also one of the fiercest predators although it is not that big, growing at most to about 12 inches. The viperfish has a large mouth and sharp, fang-like teeth. Its fangs are so large, they cannot fit inside its mouth. Instead they curve back very close to the fish's eyes. The viperfish is thought to use those teeth to skewer its victims by swimming at them at high speeds. The unusually long teeth help the viperfish hold its prey in its mouth while it hunts for other food. Its stomach is large, which allows it to hold a lot of food since food can be scarce sometimes in the deep sea.
Its long dorsal spine is tipped with photophores, light-producing organs. The viperfish uses this light to attract prey. It can flash it on and off. The viperfish can stay completely still while it waves its light around like a fishing lure. It also has photophores along its sides that can help camouflage itself from other predators.
During the day, viperfish stay far below the surface, about 5,000 feet. At night, the fish migrates upwards to about 2,000 feet below the surface where there is more food available. Viperfish can slow down their body functions so they can go for days without food. That adaptation likely came about because food is scarce in the deep sea.
"Viperfish" Sea and Sky. Web. 29 Apr 2015. http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/viperfish.html