Black swallower
Chiasmodon niger, with swallowed prey fish
Chiasmodon niger is a predatory living deep-sea fish of the family of blacks rolling ( Chiasmodontidae ).
Features
Chiasmodon niger reaches a body length of 25 centimeters. Occupied with long teeth mouth and the stomach are extremely flexible, so that prey can be swallowed, which are larger than the fish. Like all species of the family he has two separate dorsal fins with a total of about 34 to 40 fin rays, of which 26 to 29 soft rays are. Before he has a hard anal fin spine, the fin consists of 26 to 29 soft rays. The caudal fin support nine rays. Shed and light organs missing.
Distribution and habitat
Chiasmodon niger is a world in deep-sea areas between 700 and 2450 meters depth ( bathypelagial ) all oceans spread. The main application area is in the range of tropical and subtropical marine areas.
System
Chiasmodon niger forms, as type species, together with six other species, the genus Chiasmodon within the black rolling. A junior synonym is Ponerodon vastator Alcock, 1890.
Relationship to man
The fish has no commercial significance for the people and is not fished due to its habitat in more than 700 meters deep. He is not listed in the Red List of endangered species in the IUCN.