The Viper Fish By: Rodney, Per. 5, Item #16

Viper Fish

Life of a Viper Fish A viperfish is a deepwater fish in the genus Chauliodus, with long, needle-like teeth and hinged lower jaws. They grow to lengths of 30 to 60 cm (12 - 24 inches). \ Viperfish live near the lower depths of the ocean between (250–5,000 feet) in the daytime and shallow at night. Viperfish mainly stay in tropical and temperate waters. A viper fish eats prey smaller than it’s size. It could possibly eat fish larger than it but however preys on smaller species , such as squid, crustaceans, shrimp, and hermit crabs, anchovies and mackerels. It lures its victim attack its prey by luring the victim close to itself with a light producing organ called a photophore, which is located on the end of its dorsal spine. Once attracted It uses its fang-like teeth to immobilize its prey, and would not be able to close its mouth because of their length if it were not able to curve them behind its head.

Who feeds on Viper Fish Predators larger than a viper fish like dolphins and sharks prey on viper fish whenever it goes up at night to collect food on the surface of the ocean Humans are the top of the food chain, it’s possible there were times that viper fish were eaten, but they live so deep in the water catching them would only be possible during the night.

Special traits of viper fish It’s still a mystery of how a viperfish actually reproduce but theory is that they are external spawner (female lays eggs to be fertilized) Unlike other species, viperfish may live to 30 to 40 years of age.