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Chauliodus macouni Bean, 1890
Pacific Viperfish
Family: Sternoptychidae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

© Aaron Baldwin     (Photo ID #2178)

Map

Source: Distribution of Chauliodus macouni as compiled by Aquamaps

Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 14; Vertebrae: 56 - 62. First dorsal fin ray much produced in a long filament terminating in a minute flap; adipose fin large, placed well back over posterior part of anal, higher posteriorly; pelvic fins long and narrow (Ref. 6885). No true gill rakers (Ref. 6885). Dark brown to black in color (Ref. 6885). Branchiostegal rays: 16-21 (Ref. 35898).

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Biology

Species Biology

Migrate upward at night (Ref. 28499). Feed on small planktonic crustaceans, arrow worms and fish (Ref. 28499). Has photophores on belly arranged in a row (Ref. 2850). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 35898). Also caught with bottom trawls. bathypelagic; marine; depth range 25 - 4390 m (Ref. 5610). Deep water.

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Distribution

Distribution

Northwest Pacific: Navarin Canyon in the Bering Sea to Japan. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California (Ref. 35898) and the Gulf of California.

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Status Information

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



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

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