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A Pacific viperfish in dark water

Pacific viperfish

Chauliodus macouni

Not on exhibit
Animal type
Fishes
Ecosystem
Deep sea
Relatives
Dragonfishes, loosejaws, hatchetfishes, viperfishes; Order: Stomiiformes
Diet
Small crustaceans, chaetognaths, and small fishes
Range
From 660 to 5,000 ft. (200–1,500 m) in the North Pacific Ocean
Size
Up to 12 inches (30 cm) total length

Meet the Pacific viperfish

A viperfish traps small fish and shrimp in their big mouth. Those long, sharp teeth form a cage to keep food from swimming back out.

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