viperfish

/vuy"peuhr fish'/, n., pl. (esp. collectively) viperfish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) viperfishes.

any of several deep-sea fishes of the family Chauliodontidae, having a large mouth and fanglike teeth, some species having light-emitting organs on their bodies.

[1890-95; VIPER + FISH]

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▪ fish

      any of nine species of marine fishes belonging to the genus Chauliodus (order Stomiiformes). They are found in tropical regions of the major oceans. The viperfishes are deep-sea dwellers and have luminescent organs along the sides; the lights sometimes function in the attraction of other fishes on which they feed. The name viperfish comes from the long fangs that protrude from the upper and lower jaws, used to firmly grip struggling prey. All of the species are small, the largest being the Pacific viperfish (C. macouni), which attains a length of 30 centimetres (1 foot).

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