Anoplogaster cornuta
FAMILY
Anoplogasteridae
TAXONOMY
Anoplogaster cornuta Valenciennes, 1833, S. Atlantic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Common sabertooth, ogrefish; Spanish: Pez con
colmillos.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Can reach up to 6 in (15.2 cm) in length. Their huge head,
large mouth opening, and long, sharp teeth combine to give
these fishes a rather frightening appearance. With long spines
on their heads, the light-gray juveniles look quite different
from adults, and were identified as a separate species for many
years.
DISTRIBUTION
Temperate to tropical waters around the world.
HABITAT
Prefers deeper waters of 1,650–6,600 ft (500–2,000 m), but
some occur as far down as 16,100 ft (4,900 m). Juveniles will
venture almost to the surface.
BEHAVIOR
Fangtooths live singly or in small groups.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Adult fangtooths are mainly piscivores, feeding by opening
their large mouth to draw in prey. The young primarily subsist
on crustaceans.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Engages in external fertilization, and provides no parental care
to eggs or young. The larvae are planktonic.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
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