Alepisaurus -

The genus (Greek for "scaleless lizard") refers to a group of large, predatory deep-sea fish commonly known as lancetfish . These prehistoric-looking creatures are known for their slender, lance-like bodies, enormous sail-like dorsal fins, and formidable fangs. As one of the largest predators in the "twilight zone," they can grow up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) in length and are found in nearly every ocean except polar regions. Taxonomy and Species

Their large mouths contain two or three massive, dagger-like fangs on both the upper and lower jaws, used to incapacitate slippery prey like squid and other fish. alepisaurus

Lancetfish lack a swim bladder and have gelatinous, watery muscles, which suggests they are ambush predators rather than fast, long-distance swimmers. Ecology and Behavior ITIS - Report: Alepisaurus The genus (Greek for "scaleless lizard") refers to

The more widely distributed and better-known species, characterized by a noticeably longer snout. Taxonomy and Species Their large mouths contain two