Common fangtooth

Distribution

The common fangtooth has a global distribution being found in tropical and temperate waters in both the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Off the western seaboard of America its range extends from British Columbia southwards to south of the equator. It is a pelagic fish occurring between 2 and 5,000 metres , with adults between 500 to 5,000 metres ; adults occur in deep water and are often caught in trawls at about 2,000 m . Juveniles are found at lesser depths.

Behavior

The common fangtooth is a predator and feeds on other fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. They are themselves preyed on by such fish as tuna, marlin and albacore. It is a schooling fish and is often found in small groups, though it may be solitary. Off the west coast of North America, the common fangtooth seems to breed in the summer months. The fish are oviparous and the developing larvae are planktonic. From examination of the otoliths , it appears that this fish lives for at least three years.

Habitat

The common fangtooth has a global distribution being found in tropical and temperate waters in both the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Off the western seaboard of America its range extends from British Columbia southwards to south of the equator. It is a pelagic fish occurring between 2 and 5,000 metres , with adults between 500 to 5,000 metres ; adults occur in deep water and are often caught in trawls at about 2,000 m . Juveniles are found at lesser depths.