Chauliodus macouni Bean, 1890
Pacific viperfish
photo by Van Noord, J.E.

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Chauliodontinae
Max. size:  29.3 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 23.4 g; max. reported age: 8 years
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 25 - 4390 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Navarin Canyon in the Bering Sea to Japan. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California (Ref. 35898) and the Gulf of California.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-7; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-14; Vertebrae: 56-62. First dorsal fin ray much produced in a long filament terminating in a minute flap; adipose fin large, placed well back over posterior part of anal, higher posteriorly; pelvic fins long and narrow (Ref. 6885). No true gill rakers (Ref. 6885). Dark brown to black in color (Ref. 6885). Branchiostegal rays: 16-21 (Ref. 35898).
Biology:  Migrate upward at night (Ref. 28499). Feed on small planktonic crustaceans, arrow worms and fish (Ref. 28499). Has photophores on belly arranged in a row (Ref. 2850). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 35898). Also caught with bottom trawls.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 July 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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