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Stout sawpalate (Serrivomer beanii) — Serrivomeridae

Stout sawpalate

Serrivomer beanii
LC · Least Concern

The Stout sawpalate (Serrivomer beanii) is a saltwater fish of the family Serrivomeridae that grows up to 78 cm.

Length
78 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–6000.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The stout sawpalate is a long, thin, eel-like deep-sea fish of the family Serrivomeridae reaching about 78 cm. The snake-like, brown-black body ends in long, narrow jaws full of needle teeth; on the palate sits a saw-like row of small teeth, which gives the group its name. With these teeth the slow swimmer seizes small fish and crustaceans in the dark. The species lives widely in the twilight and dark zones of the deep Atlantic. As in true eels the transparent, leaf-shaped larvae (leptocephalus) drift in higher water and sink to depth at metamorphosis. Because of its deep lifestyle it is rarely seen; records come mainly from deep-sea research.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stout sawpalate?

The Stout sawpalate has a snake-like body, is mainly black and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Stout sawpalate live?

The Stout sawpalate lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Stout sawpalate get?

The Stout sawpalate grows to a maximum of about 78 cm.

Is the Stout sawpalate dangerous to humans?

No, the Stout sawpalate is harmless to humans.

Is the Stout sawpalate edible?

The Stout sawpalate is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Beans zaagtandaal inferred
English name
Stout sawpalate verified
Scientific name
Serrivomer beanii
Family
Serrivomeridae
Other names
Bean's sawtooth eel; Bean's sawtoothed eel; Bean's serrivomerid eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
78.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6000.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Serrivomer

More from the family Serrivomeridae

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