Alepisaurus ferox Lowe, 1833

Description: Mouth large with two erect fangs on palatines. Dorsal fin very high, about three rays beginning with third or fourth much exerted; adipose moderate in size, over posterior part of anal insertion. Branchiostegal rays 7-8. Vertebrae: 47-52.

Color: Generally pale, iridescent, darker dorsally; lateral adipose keel dark; all fins dark brown or black; peritoneum black.

Size: to about 215.0 cm maximal total length, 150.0 cm common total length.

Habitat: Epipelagic- and mesopelagic, from near the surface to below 1000 m, sometimes approaching inshore waters.

Food: Feed on fishes, cephalopods, tunicates, and crustaceans. Preyed upon by opah, sharks, albacore, yellowfin tuna, and fur seals.

Reproduction: Gonads of adolescents are hermaphroditic, but there is no proof that the species is a functional hermaphrodite. Oviparous, with planktonic larvae.

Larvae. Four preopercular spines; bony ridges on head; pigment patch at anal fin base; peritoneal pigment patches absent; for family: large head and mouth; prominent canines on dentary; small fins; short gut; presence of a translucent space between the gut and hypaxial musculature, prior to completion of the flexion stage.

Pigmentation.Preflexion: fine specks on pectoral fins. Flexion: on lower jaw angle. Postflexion: dorsally on head; on gular region, operculum, and peritoneum; patch near anal fin origin; dorsolaterally below adipose fin; midlaterally on trunk. Transformation: spreading dorsally and laterally along dorsum and tail. Sequence of fin development: caudal, pectorals, anal, dorsal, pelvics.