You are here:
BBC >
Science & Nature >
Animals >
Sea Life >
Animal Facts
 |
|
| |
|
|
Dragonfish/Viperfish
Family Stomidae
With their big mouths and sharp protruding teeth, dragonfish are fearsome predators of the deep. Their glowing barbels are used to attract curious prey in the darkness.
Statistics
Size ranges from 2-50cm (0.8-20in) but they are usually about 15cm.
Physical Description
Dragonfish are primitive fish that live in the deep oceans and are elongated and usually very dark to black in colour without any scales. Light organs or photophores run along the sides and the teeth sometimes protrude well out of the mouth, which is large.
In viperfish, the jaw hinges open, allowing it to cope with large prey. Most have light organs on the end of a muscle-controlled barbel and some have additional ones near the pectoral fins.
In some species, eyes are on the end of long stalks during the juvenile stage though they are absorbed on maturation. In some species, photophores behind the eye act like headlights for searching out prey.
Distribution
They are found in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.
Habitat
They occur in deep oceans to about 1500m, perhaps with vertical migration to capture prey.
Diet
Dragonfish eat whatever they can fit into their mouths - typically large prey such as other fish and shrimp.
Behaviour
Living in the deep ocean where there is little light, the deep sea dragonfishes use lanterns on the end of their barbels to attract prey and for identification. Some species rise nearer to the surface in order to catch prey as it passes by.
Glowing blue lights (photophores) on the belly are used as 'counter-illumination', helping the fish blend in with the dim, down-welling light.
Other light-producing organs behind the eye may be used as headlights, allowing the dragonfish to actively search for its prey.
Reproduction
Most are oviparous, or egg-laying, and have planktonic eggs and larvae.
Conservation status
They are of no importance to fisheries. They are not considered threatened.
|
|
|
|
|
|
