Species distinctions: Viperfish:
Weight: n/a
Length: 15.0 to 25.0 cm ( 6.0 to 10.0 in)
Diet: shrimp
Distinctive qualities: luminous organs along sides which emit a purple light with red; lives in deep water; cannot be brought to surface due to subjection to great pressure; vital organs found between two sides of lower jaw; head is large in relation to body, which is like a long tube; stomach may be distended to allow the fish to swallow prey larger than itself; never chews prey.

The Viperfish inhabits the sea at depths between 457.2 to 2743.2 m (1500.0 to 9000.0 ft) and appears as a terrifying fish with a large mouth full of sharp teeth, including two teeth in the lower jaw that are of such long length that they are unable to fit inside the mouth, but sit back, close to the eyes. It is subject to great pressure and cannot be removed from natural habitat with the expectancy to live as surfacing quickly causes it to die. Although it seems none have been photographed in natural habitat, it has been believed they may hover at forty-five degree angles.

With this fish, it is the anatomy which stirs interest: the vital organs, including the heart, lies between the two side of its lower jaw, where the head is not proportional to the rest of the body, which is more of a digestive tube. The stomach is strong and may be distended to allow for large prey, which is quickly caught after a short chase in the teeth, then swallowed without being chewed.

Physics Application(s):

Bioluminescence: Of the few species which are described by scientists, it is believed they possess three hundred and fifty luminous organs, which attract prey into the general area of the viperfish so that it may catch them easily. The organs may be found along the fish’s sides, which emit a light of purple hue, combined with small dots of red.