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Coccorella atrata, commonly known as the Saber-toothed fish or Black Sabertooth, is a fascinating deep-sea fish belonging to the family Evermannellidae. These fishes are characterized by their elongated, slender bodies and, most notably, their formidable, dagger-like teeth. They are ambush predators inhabiting the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones of the world's oceans, where light is scarce. Their unique morphology is highly adapted for capturing prey in the dark, cold, and high-pressure environment of the deep sea.
Physical Characteristics
- Body shape
- elongated
- Coloration
- Typically dark brown to black, aiding in camouflage in the deep-sea environment.
- Scale type
- none
- Mouth position
- superior
- Distinctive features
- Extremely large, dagger-like teeth, particularly on the lower jaw, which are visible even when the mouth is closed., Large, tubular eyes, often directed upwards, adapted for detecting faint light from bioluminescent prey or silhouettes against residual downwelling light., Slender, elongated body, somewhat compressed laterally., Absence of scales, giving the skin a smooth, often gelatinous appearance.
- Dorsal fin
- A single, relatively small dorsal fin located far back on the body.
- Tail fin
- Forked caudal fin.
- Pectoral fin
- Small, positioned low on the body.
- Distinctive fins
- Adipose fin present, a fleshy fin without rays, characteristic of many deep-sea fishes in this order.
Identification Tips
Teeth
The most striking feature is the presence of extremely long, sharp, saber-like teeth, especially the two prominent fangs on the lower jaw that fit into sockets in the roof of the mouth when closed. These teeth are disproportionately large compared to the fish's head.
Eyes
Large, tubular eyes, often pointing upwards, are characteristic. This adaptation helps them detect faint light from above or the bioluminescence of prey.
Body Shape and Color
Elongated, slender, and dark-colored (brown to black) body, lacking scales. This combination is typical for deep-sea ambush predators.
Adipose Fin
The presence of a small, fleshy adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fins is a key family characteristic.
Habitat
- Water type
- saltwater
- Depth
- Mesopelagic to bathypelagic zones, typically from 500 to 2,000 meters (1,640 to 6,560 feet), but can be found deeper.
- Environment
- Open ocean, pelagic zone. They are solitary predators in the vast, dark expanse of the deep sea.
- Geographic range
- Worldwide in tropical and temperate oceanic waters, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
Aquarium Information
- Care level: expert
- Temperament: aggressive
- Diet: carnivore
- Minimum tank size: Not suitable for aquaria
- Temperature: Not applicable
- pH level: Not applicable
- Hardness: Not applicable
- Compatibility: Not suitable for aquaria
- Special requirements: Deep-sea species, impossible to maintain in a home aquarium due to extreme pressure, temperature, and light requirements. Specialized deep-sea research facilities might attempt, but success is extremely limited.
Wild Information
- Conservation status: least concern
- Seasonality: Not applicable; deep-sea species do not exhibit seasonal migrations in the same way as surface-dwelling fish.
- Market price: N/A
- Commercial importance: none
- Taste: Unknown
- Texture: Unknown
- Nutritional value: Unknown
Key Facts
Deep-Sea Hunterbehavior
Coccorella atrata is a classic example of a deep-sea ambush predator, perfectly adapted to its lightless environment with large eyes and formidable teeth.
Transparent Jawsinteresting
Some species within the Evermannellidae family, including Coccorella, have jaws that are partially transparent, allowing their large teeth to be even more prominent.
No Scalesevolution
Unlike many fish, Coccorella atrata lacks scales, which is a common adaptation among deep-sea fish, possibly to reduce drag or for osmoregulation in high-pressure environments.
Upward-Looking Eyesamazing
Their tubular, often upward-pointing eyes are specialized for detecting the faint silhouettes of prey against the residual downwelling light or the bioluminescence of other deep-sea organisms.
Safety Information
Handle with care- Safety level: caution
- Venomous: No
- Edibility: not recommended
- Handling notes: Due to their deep-sea habitat, encounters with live Coccorella atrata are extremely rare and typically occur only during deep-sea trawling or submersible operations. If encountered, their large, sharp teeth pose a physical hazard, so extreme caution should be exercised to avoid cuts. They are not venomous.
Similar Species
Fangtooth
Anoplogaster cornuta
While also having large teeth, Fangtooths (family Anoplogastridae) have a much shorter, deeper body and a more robust head compared to the slender, elongated body of Coccorella atrata. Their teeth are also prominent but their overall body plan is distinct.
Viperfish
Chauliodus sloani
Viperfish (family Stomiidae) also possess extremely long fangs, but they typically have photophores (light-producing organs) arranged in rows along their body, which are absent or much less prominent in Coccorella atrata. Viperfish also tend to have a more 'gaping' mouth appearance.
Lancetfish
Alepisaurus ferox
Lancetfish are much larger, have a very tall, sail-like dorsal fin, and a more pointed snout. While they are also deep-sea predators with sharp teeth, their overall body morphology and fin structure are quite different from Coccorella atrata.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Aulopiformes
- Family
- Evermannellidae
- Genus
- Coccorella
- Species
- Coccorella atrata
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