HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesSmeltsSlickheadsOwston's slickhead Owston's slickhead (Alepocephalus owstoni) Scientific name: Alepocephalus owstoni Tanaka, 1908 The Owston's slickhead (Alepocephalus owstoni) is a marine fish of the family Alepocephalidae. Native range: Northwest Pacific, Pacific coast of Japan and the Okinawa Trough (East China Sea). BiologyDorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18 - 22. Pored scales in lateral line less than 60. Snout wide in dorsal view, rounded anteriorly. Frontal portion of orbital rim forming a prominent ridge above the eye. Orbit circular. Reaches 40 cm SL.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameAlepocephalus owstoniFamilyAlepocephalidae (Slickheads)OrderOsmeriformes (Smelts)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length40.0Depth range600–1000 m (1969–3281 ft)EnvironmentMarine; bathydemersal; depth range 600 - 1000 mClimateDeep-waterDistributionNorthwest Pacific: Pacific coast of Japan and the Okinawa Trough (East China Sea).Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessResilienceLow, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026