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Anotopterus nikparini Kukuev, 1998
North Pacific Daggertooth
Family: Paralepididae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

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Map

Source: Distribution of Anotopterus nikparini as compiled by Aquamaps

Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 17; Vertebrae: 78 - 80. Dark brownish, silvery ventrally; paired fins and caudal fin uniformly black. Body extremely elongate. Large adults with a pair of dermal keels midlaterally on each side. Small, flexible projection at tip of lower jaw. Gill membranes joined forward, below anterior edge of eye, and free from isthmus. No rayed dorsal fin. No scales. In adults, head depth 29-33% of lower jaw length. Postorbital area 8.1-9.7% SL or 34.4-38.8% (less than 3 times smaller than HL). Rear edge of gill cover overlaps with the vertical of the 5th vertebrae. Postadipose distance 7-8% SL.

Source: FishBase.

Biology

Species Biology

Found in a wide range of depths, sometimes near surfaceNorth Pacific: Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska; south in Pacific waters to about 25°N, south of Baja California and Japan. to below 2,000 m. Larger adults inhabit colder water toward the poles, whereas, the young and smaller adults inhabit more temperate regions. Feed on mollusks, crustaceans, marine worms, coelenterates, salps, and fishes. Its distensible body wall and large stomach can accommodate prey up to half of its own length. Oviparous, with planktonic larvae. Preyed upon by albacore, Pacific lancetfish, halibut, steelhead salmon, blue shark, pomfret, and whales. Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 0 - 2750 m, usually 0 - 700 m. Max length : 146 cm TL male/unsexed; max. published weight: 1,650 g

Source: FishBase.

Distribution

Distribution

North Pacific: Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska; south in Pacific waters to about 25°N, south of Baja California and Japan.

Source: FishBase.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNot Listed



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Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

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