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Quick answer
The Sloane's viperfish (Chauliodus sloani) is a fang-toothed deep-sea predator with a hinged skull for swallowing large prey. Adults reach 30 cm and are Least Concern.
Top questions about the Viperfish
Viperfish facts at a glance
- Weight 30 g
- Length 30 cm
- Top speed 3 km/h
- Lifespan 10 years
| Scientific name | Chauliodus sloani |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones |
| Lifespan | 8–12 years |
| Weight | 0.02–0.05 kg |
| Top speed | up to 3 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Stomiiformes |
| Family | Stomiidae |
| Genus | Chauliodus |
Where it lives
The viperfish (Chauliodus sloani) is native to Deep oceans worldwide. — recorded across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a viperfish?
An adult viperfish measures 30 cm long — about 17% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 30 g, a small fraction of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of viperfish called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Viperfish is called a shoal.
Baby name
A baby Viperfish is called a larva.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Needle teeth and hinged skull
Enormous fangs fold inward; the skull rotates to swallow fish nearly as long as the viperfish. Green photophores along the side may lure prey in darkness.
Fish and squid in the midnight zone
Ambush and pursuit in mesopelagic and bathypelagic depths. Vertical migration places them in feeding layers at night.
Deep oceans worldwide
Chauliodus sloani occurs across Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Ocean deep basins. Larvae rise nearer surface before adopting deep adult habits.
Abundant deep predator
Least Concern with vast habitat and no fishery. Night trawls regularly capture viperfish where few other vertebrates venture.
Explore the Viperfish
Related Fishs
Conservation status of the Viperfish
The viperfish (Chauliodus sloani) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The viperfish (Chauliodus sloani) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Viperfish
How long are viperfish teeth?
Fangs can exceed half the fish's head length — so long they fold beside the brain.
Do viperfish light up?
Yes — photophores along the body may attract prey in the black bathypelagic zone.
How deep do viperfish live?
Hundreds to thousands of metres down, rising higher only at night to feed.
Can viperfish swallow big fish?
A hinged skull and elastic stomach let them take prey nearly their own length.
Are viperfish dangerous to humans?
No — they live in deep water and are small; contact with divers is essentially nil.
What is a group of viperfish called?
A group of Viperfish is called a shoal.
What is a baby viperfish called?
A baby Viperfish is called a larva.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Viperfish:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Chauliodus sloani.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Chauliodus sloani. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Chauliodus sloani. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
