Longnose Lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox Lowe, 1833

Scientific name: Alepisaurus ferox
Alternative name/s:
Lancetfish
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    30/03/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Longnose Lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox Click to enlarge image
Longnose Lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox. A Longnose Lancetfish found by Stan Fenton, washed up on Blinky beach, Lord Howe Island, August 2012. The fish is now registered in the fish collection (I.46137-001). Image: Jimmy Maher
© Jimmy Maher

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Alepisaurus
    Species
    ferox
    Family
    Alepisauridae
    Order
    Aulopiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to 2.15 m in length.

Introduction

The Longnose Lancetfish has a large mouth with fangs and a high, sail-like dorsal fin running along the dorsal margin.

Identification

The dorsal fin origin is positioned above the rear margin of the operculum. It's anterior rays are long. Large fangs are present on both jaws, those of the top jaw project from vomer.

The snout is longer than the aptly named Shortnose-Lancetish (at least 40% Head Length vs. less than 40% Head Length).

Longnose Lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox
Longnose Lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox. A Longnose Lancetfish found by Stan Fenton, washed up on Blinky beach, Lord Howe Island, August 2012. The fish is now registered in the fish collection (I.46137-001). Image: Jimmy Maher
© Jimmy Maher

Distribution

The species occurs circumglobally in tropical and some temperate waters.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.