Viperfish

A **viperfish** is any species of marine fish in the genus ***Chauliodus***. Viperfish are characterized by long, needle-like teeth and hinged lower jaws. A typical viperfish grows to lengths of 30 cm (12 in). Viperfish stay near lower depths (2,000–5,000 feet [610–1,520 m]) in the daytime and shallower depths at night, primarily in tropical and temperate waters. Viperfish are believed to attack prey after luring them within range with light-producing organs called photophores, which are located along the ventral sides of its body, and with a discrete photophore at the end of a long spine in the dorsal fin reminiscent of the illicium of the unrelated deep-sea anglerfishes. The viperfish flashes this natural light on and off, at the same time moving its dorsal spine around like a fishing rod and hanging completely still in the water.

Viperfish vary in color from green, silver, to black. A viperfish uses its fang-like teeth to immobilize or trap prey that it captures by charging at high speeds. The first vertebra behind the head of the viperfish absorbs the shock of biting prey. As with other deep-sea fish, they are able to endure long periods with minimal food.

Viperfish are believed to live from 30 to 40 years in the wild, but in captivity they rarely live more than a few hours. Some species of dolphins and sharks are known to prey upon viperfish. Scientists believe they can swim at a speed of two body lengths per second, but this is not yet an official speed.

Although it may appear to be covered in scales, it is covered by a thick, transparent coating of unknown substance. Extremely large, fang-like teeth give the fish a slightly protruded lower jaw which makes catching prey easy. The viperfish is lined with three different types of photophores, which some speculate are used to lure prey.  They have microscopic spheres without a pigment layer that are scattered over the dorsal side, large spheres with a pigment coat, reflectors, and lens and large, bell-shaped organs with a pigment coat, reflectors, and lens that are grouped together in rows along the dorsal surface. Photophores can also be seen along the ventral and lateral surface of the fish.

## Habitat

Because viperfish live in bathypelagic environments inaccessible to humans, little is known about their habits. They are found from a depth of 1,000 to 5,000 meters in waters with an average temperature of 4 degrees Celsius. Viperfish are thought to engage in a diel vertical migration, as they have been observed in the mesopelagic region at night up to 200 meters, which lies directly above the bathypelagic region.

## Feeding

Viperfish prey on small pelagic organisms such as shrimp, small fish, and squid. Stomach contents of captured individuals have contained lanternfish, bristlemouthes and other fish, suggesting that they attack and swallow whatever random prey they encounter. With their dark or silvery coloration, they can appear invisible and have been observed to remain motionless for hours ready to strike on unsuspecting prey. Prey is captured and killed by being pierced by the viperfish's long teeth, and then swallowed whole. The photophores along the viperfish's belly are used as counter illumination to hide it from potential predators lurking below. The viperfish uses this light organ to attract its prey through bioluminescence. By flashing the light on and off, it can be used as a fishing lure to attract smaller fish.

## Species

There are currently nine extant recognized species in this genus:

* *Chauliodus barbatus* Garman, 1899
* *Chauliodus danae* Regan & Trewavas, 1929 (Dana viperfish)
* *Chauliodus dentatus* Garman, 1899
* *Chauliodus macouni* T. H. Bean, 1890 (Pacific viperfish)
* *Chauliodus minimus* Parin & Novikova, 1974
* *Chauliodus pammelas* Alcock, 1892
* *Chauliodus schmidti* Ege, 1948
* *Chauliodus sloani* Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801 (Sloane's viperfish)
* *Chauliodus vasnetzovi* Novikova, 1972

At least two more species are recognized from Late Miocene-aged fossils:

* *Chauliodus eximus*, (Jordan, 1925), originally *Eostomias eximus*, from Late Miocene California
* *Chauliodus testa*, Nazarkin, 2014, from the Late Miocene of Western Sakhalin Island