Beltfish

ID points

• Body thin and long like a silver ribbon, with no tail fin
• The silvery coating rubs off at the slightest touch
• Lower jaw juts forward, with a mouth full of sharp fangs

Basics

Family

Trichiuridae

Length

60–150 cm

Depth

0-350 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic · Temperate & polar · Open ocean

Distribution

Middle and lower depths of coastal waters in temperate and tropical seas worldwide

Habitat

Middle and lower coastal depths

Diet

Small fish, shrimp

Easily confused with

CornetfishBody long and thin like a tube, the snout making up a third of itNeedlefishUpper and lower jaws equally drawn out into a slender pointed beakHalfbeakOnly the lower jaw is drawn out into a needle, the upper jaw is short

Fun fact

The beltfish has no pelvic fins and drives itself along by rippling its dorsal fin. It often hangs vertically in the water, perfectly still, waiting for prey. Its silver-white scales are really a waxy layer of guanine that rubs off at the lightest touch.