Hatchetfish (Argyropelecus gigas)

Scientific name: Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930

The Hatchetfish (Argyropelecus gigas) is a marine fish of the family Sternoptychidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 13. Dorsal blade present and well developed in front of dorsal fin. Deep body.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Argyropelecus gigas
Family: Sternoptychidae (Marine hatchetfishes)
Order: Stomiiformes (Lightfishes and Dragonfishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 12.0
Depth range: 300–1000 m (984–3281 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 300 - 1000 m, usually 400 - 600 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: Portugal to South Africa; northern record from south Iceland. Western Atlantic: 40?N-40?S, including the Gulf of Mexico. One record from the Patagonian region of Argentina. Indian Ocean: 0?- 40?S. Eastern Pacific: 15?S-40?S. Western Pacific: 20?N-40?S.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026