Black swallower

📖 Overview

Mesopelagic to bathypelagic species . Specimens larger than 4.5 cm are more frequently collected between 730 and 1900 m with shallowest record being 150 m, the deepest 3900 m (mean 1390 m). Juveniles are found in shallower water, from 0 to 1,050 m (mean 542 m), with the smallest specimens (>10.0 mm) collected nearest to the surface . Feed on whole fish, often of individuals longer than themselves . Most specimens were taken at depths greater than 750 m .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 43 - 44. This species is distinguished from its congeners by a set of characteristics: from C. braueri by the teeth on second ceratobranchial absent (vs. present) and supraorbital canal pores 7 (vs. 8); from C. harteli by total vertebrae 43-45 (vs. 47-48), supraorbital canal pores 7 (vs. six); from C. microcephalus by teeth on basibranchials well developed, 3-18, always present on second basibranchial and often on third basibranchial and second hypobranchial (vs. usually no teeth on basibranchials, rarely 1-3, small, restricted to second basibranchial); from C. pluriradiatus and C. asper, by pectoral-fin rays 13-14 (vs. 15-16), tiny dermal spinules on body of specimens larger than 45.0 mm absent (vs. with spinules), fang in premaxillary head 1 (vs. 2), and supraorbital pores 7 (vs. 8 and 9, respectively) and from C. pluriradiatus by lateral-line pores 86-93 (vs. 91-94); from C. subniger, by teeth on second basibranchial present (vs. none), infraorbital pores 14 (vs. 12-13, modally 13), snout elongate and pointed, 22.2-26.6% HL (vs. snout short and blunt, 21.4-23.9% HL), upper jaw 72.2-80.0% HL (vs. 63.9-72.7% HL), and lower jaw 80.0-86.7% HL (vs. 69.0-76.7% HL) . : elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Black swallower is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Black swallower is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Black swallower is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 700 - 2745 m , usually 750 - ? m . Deep-water; 46°N - 5°S, 95°W - 5°E North Atlantic: tropical and temperate; including Gulf of Mexico, from 95°W to 5°E, 46°N to 5°S (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 149 records indexed .

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