Home · Trichiuridae · Crested scabbardfish
Crested scabbardfish (Lepidopus altifrons) — Trichiuridae

Crested scabbardfish

Lepidopus altifrons
Family: Trichiuridae
LC · Least Concern

The Crested scabbardfish (Lepidopus altifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Trichiuridae that grows up to 66 cm.

Length
66 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The crested scabbardfish is a scabbardfish (Trichiuridae) from the western Atlantic. The species has an extremely elongate, ribbon-shaped, silvery body with a long dorsal fin and a large mouth with fang-like teeth. Juveniles live pelagically; adults live benthopelagically near the bottom on the continental slope. As a predator it hunts small fishes, squid and crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crested scabbardfish?

The Crested scabbardfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Crested scabbardfish live?

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

How big does the Crested scabbardfish get?

The Crested scabbardfish grows to a maximum of about 66 cm.

Is the Crested scabbardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Crested scabbardfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Crested scabbardfish edible?

Yes, the Crested scabbardfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Atlantische haarstaartvis sourced
English name
Crested scabbardfish verified
Scientific name
Lepidopus altifrons
Family
Trichiuridae
Other names
Crested scabbardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
66.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-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)
500.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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 Lepidopus

More from the family Trichiuridae

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