Alligatorfish, also known as Atlantic alligatorfish or the Aleutian alligatorfish, is a saltwater fish species.
This fish is found in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, from the eastern coast of Labrador in Canada and western Greenland to Cape Cod in Massachusetts, USA.
Alligatorfish are commonly found at depths of 197 feet to 492 feet. The maximum depth that this fish dwells at is 2280 feet.
You will usually find alligatorfish in areas with sediments like soft mud and pebbles.
Classification
Given below is the scientific classification of alligatorfish:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Agonidae
Genus: Aspidophoroides
Species Scientific Name: Aspidophoroides monopterygius
Alligatorfish Appearance
Alligatorfish have a slender, elongated body with overlapping bony plates covering their entire head and body.
Their body is more broad than deep, and it tapers from the head to the rear end.
The bony plates are smooth and arranged perfectly in longitudinal rows.
There are two large plates and many small ones in front of the pectoral fins.
Speaking of pectoral fins, they are bigger than dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.
The dorsal and anal fins of alligatorfish are fan-shaped, one above another. They are located at the center of the trunk.
The caudal fin is round and small in size, while the ventral fins are just one spine and two rays each.
Alligatorfish have large eyes with ridges above them, a small mouth, and tiny teeth.
There are also two sharp spines on their nose.
This fish is dark brown in color on top and light brown at the bottom.
There are two dark cross bands between the dorsal and pectoral fins.
There are also 2 to 3 cross bands between the caudal and dorsal fins and one below the dorsal fin.
Alligatorfish are around 5 to 8 inches long when fully grown.
Here’s an illustration of what an alligatorfish looks like…
Check out what this fish looks like in real life over here.
Alligatorfish Water Parameters
Alligatorfish prefer to live in a water temperature range of 30.1°F to 36.5°F (-1.07°C to 2.52°C).
Alligatorfish Feeding Habits
Alligatorfish prefer to eat benthic crustaceans and bottom fauna.
Alligatorfish Temperament
There’s not much known about the behavior and temperament of alligatorfish.
Interesting Facts About Alligatorfish
Very little is known about alligatorfish.
From whatever is known, it looks like this fish doesn’t like to dwell above 60 to 90 feet underwater.
This indicates that alligatorfish is a coldwater fish.
It’s also speculated from research that the spawning season of this fish is from April to June.
