Fangtooth, Anoplogaster cornuta (Valenciennes, 1833)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Fangtooth, Anoplogaster cornuta (Valenciennes, 1833)

The aptly named Fangtooth has enormous pointed fangs. The two fangs at the front of the lower jaw slide into pockets in the roof of the mouth.

Identification

The Fangtooth has a short deep body with a large head and mouth. The body is covered with small prickly scales. The distinct lateral line is an open groove partially covered by scales. There are mucous cavities on the head separated by serrated ridges. As the common name suggests, this fish has very long pointed teeth. The lower jaw fangs slide into pockets in the roof of the mouth when the jaws close.

The species is dark brown to black.

Adults and juveniles look very different and eat different prey items. Juveniles have long head spines and are light grey. They don't begin to look like adults until they reach about 8 cm in length. Adults and juveniles look so different they were described as a different species in the 1800s.

A second species in the genus Anoplogaster was described using seven juveniles (20 mm to 60 mm SL) in 1986. A.brachycera differs from the Fangtooth by a combination of characters including less dorsal fin rays (16 to 17 versus 17 to 19), shorter head spines (the name brachycera is derived from Greek and means "short-horned"), and differences in the growth of the fangs and scales.

Size range

The Fangtooth grows to 17cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs in temperate marine waters worldwide.

In Australia it is known from off central to southern New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Fangtooth specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is known from bathypelagic and mesopelagic depths down to about 5000 m, but is most common between 500 m and 2000 m.

Behaviour and adaptations

Feeding and Diet

Juveniles eat crustaceans. Adults eat fishes.

Classification

Species:: cornuta (Valenciennes, 1833)
Genus:: Anoplogaster
Family:: Anoplogasteridae
Order:: Beryciformes
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Paxton, J.R. in Paxton, J.R. & W.N. Eschmeyer (Eds). 1994. Encyclopedia of Fishes. Sydney: New South Wales University Press; San Diego: Academic Press [1995]. Pp. 240.
Kotlyar, A.N. 1986. Classification and distribution of fishes of the family Anoplogasteridae. Voprosy Ikhtiol. 26(4): 531-551. [In Russian, English translation in Journal of Ichthyology. 26(4)].
Paxton, J.R. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem. 1999. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). FAO. Rome Pp. iii-v, 2069-2790.
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.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 9 August 2010

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