HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesSmeltsSlickheadsRisso's smooth-head Risso's smooth-head (Alepocephalus rostratus) Scientific name: Alepocephalus rostratus Risso, 1820 The Risso's smooth-head (Alepocephalus rostratus) is a marine fish of the family Alepocephalidae. Native range: Eastern Atlantic, northeast Atlantic and western Mediterranean to Cape Verde; Morocco to Cameroon, then from Angola to Namibia. BiologyFound over soft bottoms. Feeds on pelagic crustaceans like euphausiids, decapods and mysids.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameAlepocephalus rostratusFamilyAlepocephalidae (Slickheads)OrderOsmeriformes (Smelts)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length50.0Depth range300–2250 m (984–7382 ft)EnvironmentMarine; bathydemersal; depth range 300 - 2250 mClimateDeep-waterDistributionEastern Atlantic: northeast Atlantic and western Mediterranean to Cape Verde; Morocco to Cameroon, then from Angola to Namibia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interestResilienceVery Low, minimum population doubling time more than 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