black swallower

Chiasmodon niger

Swallows prey larger than itself

Black
Cross-climate
Temperate
Tropical
Northern Hemisphere
Regional distribution
Marine fish
Atlantic Ocean
North America
South America
Elongated
Medium

The black swallower (Chiasmodon niger) is a species of deep sea fish in the family Chiasmodontidae. It is known for its ability to swallow fish larger than itself. It has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical waters, in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones at a depth of 700–2,745 m (2,297–9,006 ft).

Class: Teleosts
Order: Mackerels, Tunas, and Allies
Family: Chiasmodontidae
Genus: Chiasmodon
Maximum length: 25 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: North Atlantic: tropical and temperate; including Gulf of Mexico, from 95°W to 5°E, 46°N to 5°S (Ref. 82429 ). Southwestern Atlantic: Argentina (Ref. 44852 ).
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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