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Bigeye scabbard fish (Benthodesmus elongatus) — Trichiuridae

Bigeye scabbard fish

Benthodesmus elongatus
Family: Trichiuridae

The Bigeye scabbard fish (Benthodesmus elongatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Trichiuridae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
178.0–950.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The slender frostfish is a cutlassfish relative (Trichiuridae) from the open ocean. The species has an extremely elongate, ribbon-shaped, silvery body with a long dorsal fin and a large mouth with fine, fang-like teeth. Juveniles live mesopelagically, while older ones also occur near the bottom. As a predator it hunts crustaceans, especially prawns and euphausiids, and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye scabbard fish?

The Bigeye scabbard fish has a snake-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bigeye scabbard fish live?

The Bigeye scabbard fish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bigeye scabbard fish get?

The Bigeye scabbard fish grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Bigeye scabbard fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye scabbard fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigeye scabbard fish edible?

The Bigeye scabbard fish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lange ijsvis sourced
English name
Bigeye scabbard fish verified
Scientific name
Benthodesmus elongatus
Family
Trichiuridae
Other names
Elongate frostfish; Frostfish; Slender frostfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
178.0 verified
Max depth (m)
950.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Benthodesmus

More from the family Trichiuridae

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