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Longnose Lancetfish

By Reid Brewer ( Alaska Sea Grant, MAP)
      Gordon Haas (Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks)

Every summer, the beaches of Unalaska are witnesses to strange blue-eyed denisons of the deep stranding themselves for no apparent reason. In Unangan, this fish is called chalaaqux^, which means a kind of swordfish or sailfish, similar to a pike, bluish-silver in color with a big fin on back, sharp teeth and sometimes come ashore on the beach and dies. The reason these fish are showing up on our beaches is unknown, but researchers suspect that cold water shock may be disturbing the lancetfish's physiology.

Lancetfish are found along the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Irish, Australian, Portuguese, Mediterranean, African and South African coastlines. They are a subtropical species that migrate to the subarctic to feed and though they generally dwell in deeper waters (down to1830 meters), they will sometimes approach inshore waters. They are among the largest deepsea predatory fish yet discovered, reaching lengths of up to 7.6 feet. Their voracious appetites and haggard appearance have landed them the title of "wolves of the sea."

lancetfishLancetfishes are known to be hermaphroditic or monoecious (both sexes occurring in the same individual) to ensure mating success in the rare case that other lancetfish are encountered. Longnose lancetfish are nocturnal feeders (hence the blue eyes) and are known to feed on fish, cephalopods, tunicates and crustaceans. They are preyed upon by sharks, tuna and fur seals, but rarely by humans as their soft flesh tends to be disagreeable. This species is known for a large mouth with two erect fangs, a very high dorsal fin, scales absent, generally pale color growing darker dorsally, and luminescent blue eyes.

If you should encounter a longnose lancetfish, please call Reid Brewer (MAP): rbrewer@ucsd.net or 581-4589

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