Prepare for the most exciting dragon fish facts including dragon fish diet, habitat, and distribution. The dragon fish is a big-mouth-fish and has a fearsome reputation in the deep sea waters. These fishes that belong to the family of Stomidae, are also known as viperfish. The radiant barbels of dragon fish are employed for tempting their prey in complete darkness. They can grow to a size of about 20 inches. Since they do not bear commercial significance, dragon fish are certainly not threatened. The total population of these species is still unknown. They are near to extinction in Thailand. These fish are called with different names such as Asian bonytongue, ikan arowana, cherek, kelesa, and Asian awowana. The females can grow to a size of 3.5 inches (9 cm) during the incubation period. The eggs are picked up by males in their mouths after incubation.
Amazing Dragon Fish Facts
- The length of the dragon fish measures around 2 – 50 cm (0.8 – 20 inches), with averaging 15 cm.
- The largest dragon fish measures around 90 cm (35 inches) and is known as Scleropages formosus.
- These fish are normally found in the deep sea oceanic waters where there is absolute darkness. They visualize their prey with the help of glowing barbels.
- The viperfish is also adept to swallow larger prey due to the flexibility of its jaw hinges.
- They have photophores located at the back of the eye that acts like headlights for hunting out their prey.
- The dragon fish is the inhabitant of Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
- These species are found at a depth of about 1,500 meters.
- The dragon fish is known to migrate vertically whilst capturing its prey.
- These fish are capable to swallow almost anything that fits into their mouths; however, they are often found to eat larger prey including shrimp.
- There are few dragon fish that comes nearer to the water surface for hunting.
- The dragon fish is an oviparous species.
- The eggs of dragon fish have spherical yolk with the diameter measuring at 1.8 cm (0.7 inch).
- The dragon fish has large eyes and mouth together with the pointed head that looks like a torpedo.
Where Do Dragon Fish Live | Dragon Fish Facts
The dragon fish is known as bottom-dwellers since they inhabit in deep sea water where there is no concept of sunlight. These types of fish are found in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Ocean in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, and Thailand. They build their habitats in areas where there is abundant of vegetation.
What Do Dragon Fish Eat
The dragon fish primarily consumes array of tiny vertebrates and invertebrates. These prey are usually taken near the water surface.
Reproduction | Dragon Fish Facts
- The dragon fish lays 30 eggs on an average, but they are known to lay 90 eggs.
- The males are usually responsible for incubating eggs and the incubation period lasts for 5 – 6 weeks.
- The breeding season of these species comes in July to December.
- The dragon fish reach the maturity age after 3 – 4 years.
