fangtooth

The fangtooth, scientifically known as Anoplogaster cornuta, is a deep-sea fish belonging to the Anoplogastridae family. It inhabits the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones of the world's oceans, typically found at depths ranging from 500 to 2,000 meters. Fangtooth are characterized by their disproportionately large heads and exceptionally long, needle-like teeth, which are the largest in relation to body size of any fish. Despite their fearsome appearance, they are relatively small, usually measuring no more than 15 to 20 centimeters in length. Their bodies are dark brown or black, providing camouflage in the low-light environment of the deep sea. Fangtooth possess small eyes, suggesting that vision is not their primary sense for hunting or navigation. Instead, they likely rely on their lateral line system to detect vibrations and prey in the darkness. Their diet consists mainly of other small fish and invertebrates. Reproduction in fangtooth is not well understood, but like many deep-sea species, they are thought to be oviparous, laying eggs. The extreme environment in which they live means that observations of their behavior and life cycle are rare, making them a subject of ongoing scientific interest.