Species learning profile

Sloane's viperfish

Chauliodus sloani

Sloane's viperfish (Chauliodus sloani) is a saltwater fish associated with deep sea habitat in Global. Its long fangs curve outside the mouth, while light organs hide its silhouette from below.

Test your recall

Your learning progress stays on this device.

Mer profondeStomiidae

At a glance

Eau
Eau salée
Habitat
Mer profonde
Longueur maximale
35 cm
Répartition
Monde entier
Famille
Stomiidae
Ordre
Stomiiformes

Observe

How to identify Sloane's viperfish

  • Its long fangs curve outside the mouth, while light organs hide its silhouette from below.
  • Guide context: deep sea habitat in Global.
  • Reported maximum length: 35 cm — up to about the length of a guitar. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.

Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.

Place and pattern

Where it lives—and how it behaves

Habitat and range

This species is associated with deep sea habitat across Global. Food is scarce and sunlight is absent or faint, favoring energy-saving movement and specialized senses.

Behavior

Rises toward surface water at night

Food-web connections

What it eats and why it matters

Diet

Fish and crustaceans.

Ecological role

Transfers deep-water prey toward upper-ocean predators.

Remember

One fact worth keeping

Sloane's viperfish peut atteindre environ 35 cm et vit souvent près de Mer profonde.

Think like a conservationist

A conservation lens

Deep-sea animals often grow slowly, and recovery can be difficult after habitat disturbance or heavy fishing.

This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.

Recall

Quick knowledge check

Which habitat is most closely associated with Sloane's viperfish in this guide?

Keep exploring

References and further reading

Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.

Make connections