Pacific jellynose fish (Ateleopus japonicus)

Scientific name: Ateleopus japonicus Bleeker, 1853

The Pacific jellynose fish (Ateleopus japonicus) is a marine fish of the family Ateleopodidae. Native range: Western Pacific, southern Japan. More recent works report of its occurrence in Taiwan, Malaysia and the Chesterfield Islands.

Biology

Dorsal spines: 0; Dorsal soft rays: 8-10; Anal spines: 0. Longest ray of pelvic fin thin, long reaching to or near tip of pectoral fin. Lip of upper jaw thin. Upper jaw with a short band of villiform teeth; lower jaw, palatine, pre vomer and tongue toothless. Body purplish-brown, semi-transparent. Attain 95 cm SL.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Ateleopus japonicus
Family: Ateleopodidae (Jellynose fishes)
Order: Ateleopodiformes (Jellynose fishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 95.0
Common length: 35.0
Depth range: 140–600 m (459–1969 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 140 - 600 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Western Pacific: southern Japan. More recent works report of its occurrence in Taiwan, Malaysia and the Chesterfield Islands.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026