Facts: The Deep-Sea Lizardfish (Bathysaurus)

The name deep sea lizardfish refers to two species of rarely seen deep sea fish in the genus Bathysaurus. These fish are solitary, bottom-dwelling predators that have sharp teeth and strong jaws. They are ambush predators. A lizardfish will wait on the bottom, resting on its pectoral fins, with its head slightly elevated, ready to snatch prey with its large mouth. They will feed on nearly anything they can find, including fish, squid, crabs, and dead animals. They will even eat their own kind. When a fish swims by, a deep sea lizardfish will seize it quickly. Their mouth has flexible teeth that move prey further into the back of the mouth. Deep sea lizardfish are typically found at depths from 3,000 to over 8,000 feet below the surface. They have a circumglobal distribution except for polar waters. One species, Bathysaurus varrox, has a long dorsal fin while the other species, Bathysaurus mollus, has a short dorsal fin. They grow around 2 feet in length. They have greenish black eyes. A reflective layer called the tapetum behind the retina maximizes incoming light by reflecting it around within the eye. But at the expense of acuity, they are synchronous hermaphrodites, meaning that they possess both male and female organs. This allows them to mate with any member of their species that crosses their path. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!!