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Anzac frost-fish (Assurger anzac) — Trichiuridae

Anzac frost-fish

Assurger anzac
Family: Trichiuridae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Anzac frost-fish (Assurger anzac) is a saltwater fish of the family Trichiuridae that grows up to 250 cm.

Length
250 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
150.0–400.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Worldwide (temperate/tropical)
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The razorback scabbardfish is a very elongate cutlassfish from temperate and tropical seas worldwide. The species grows to about 250 cm and has a ribbon-shaped, silvery, strongly compressed body with a long dorsal fin and sharp teeth. As a predator it lives in open water over the continental slope, at depths between roughly 150 and 400 metres, and hunts fish and squid. It is sometimes landed as bycatch. The fish is largely harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Anzac frost-fish?

The Anzac frost-fish has a snake-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Very elongated ribbon-shaped body with sharp teeth; open-water predator

Where does the Anzac frost-fish live?

The Anzac frost-fish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Worldwide (temperate/tropical)

How big does the Anzac frost-fish get?

The Anzac frost-fish grows to a maximum of about 250 cm. On average the species is around 200 cm.

Is the Anzac frost-fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Anzac frost-fish 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.

Is the Anzac frost-fish edible?

The Anzac frost-fish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Anzac frost-fish verified
Scientific name
Assurger anzac
Family
Trichiuridae
Other names
Razorback scabbardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
250.0 verified
Average length (cm)
200.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
150.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Natural range
Worldwide (temperate/tropical) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and squid inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Open-water predator of the slope; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Very elongated ribbon-shaped body with sharp teeth; open-water predator sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Trichiuridae

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