Home · Gempylidae · American sackfish
American sackfish (Neoepinnula americana) — Gempylidae

American sackfish

Neoepinnula americana
Family: Gempylidae

The American sackfish (Neoepinnula americana) is a saltwater fish of the family Gempylidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
184.0–457.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Brazil, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominican Rp, French Guiana and others

Want the complete picture on the American sackfish?

Get the app

Description

The American sackfish is a snake mackerel (Gempylidae) from deeper coastal and slope waters of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, dark brown-black body with large eyes and a large mouth with a few sharp fangs. As a twilight-active predator it hunts small fish, squid and crustaceans in the deep water. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the American sackfish?

The American sackfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the American sackfish live?

The American sackfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. North America: Brazil, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominican Rp, French Guiana and others

How big does the American sackfish get?

The American sackfish grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the American sackfish dangerous to humans?

No, the American sackfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the American sackfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the American sackfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
American sackfish sourced
Scientific name
Neoepinnula americana
Family
Gempylidae
Other names
American sackfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
184.0 verified
Max depth (m)
457.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Brazil, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominican Rp, French Guiana and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Gempylidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the American sackfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the American sackfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the American sackfish? Get the app