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Bigeye frostfish (Benthodesmus pacificus) — Trichiuridae

Bigeye frostfish

Benthodesmus pacificus
Family: Trichiuridae

The Bigeye frostfish (Benthodesmus pacificus) is a saltwater fish of the family Trichiuridae that grows up to 112 cm.

Length
112 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–1000.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Pacific frostfish is a cutlassfish relative (Trichiuridae) from the Pacific 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. It lives in deeper water, from about three hundred metres and deeper, and sometimes migrates to shallower layers. As a predator it hunts crustaceans and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye frostfish?

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

Where does the Bigeye frostfish live?

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

How big does the Bigeye frostfish get?

The Bigeye frostfish grows to a maximum of about 112 cm.

Is the Bigeye frostfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye frostfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigeye frostfish edible?

The Bigeye frostfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische haarstaartvis sourced
English name
Bigeye frostfish verified
Scientific name
Benthodesmus pacificus
Family
Trichiuridae
Other names
North Pacific frostfish; North-Pacific frostfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
112.0 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)
100.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1000.0 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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