# Fangtooth (*Odaxothrissa*) The Fangtooth is a deep-sea fish with long, sharp teeth. It lives in the darkest parts of the ocean and has a fearsome appearance. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Deep Sea ![Fangtooth](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424415/objects/6080.jpg) ## Appearance The Fangtooth is a small, slender freshwater fish with a silvery body and relatively large eyes. It has a slightly compressed shape, often appearing iridescent, with subtle darker markings along its back. Its name comes from small, sharp teeth. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Clupeiformes - **Family:** Clupeidae - **Genus:** Odaxothrissa ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, this 'Fangtooth' is a tiny African freshwater fish, not a deep-sea monster! - Some species in this family are so clear you can almost see through their bodies in bright water! - These fish often swim in huge shimmering groups, which helps them confuse bigger predators! - They are related to ocean herrings, but these speedy little fish live only in rivers and lakes! ## Special abilities - **Schooling Survival:** Fangtooth can gather in large shoals, which confuse predators and increase their chances of survival in vast open waters. - **Efficient Predator:** Fangtooth has small, sharp teeth that help them efficiently capture tiny insects and other small prey, ensuring they get enough food. - **Keen Sight:** Fangtooth has relatively large eyes that help them spot distant prey and approaching predators, crucial for survival. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5-15 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-3 years - **Swim Speed:** 15 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 10 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding Fangtooth fish primarily feast on tiny insects and zooplankton found floating in their freshwater homes. - **Primary Foods:** zooplankton, insect larvae, small crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Tigerfish (*Hydrocynus vittatus*) — A fast, large predator in African rivers. - **Eats:** [Great Cormorant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-cormorant) (*Phalacrocorax carbo*) — Diving bird that hunts fish in freshwater. - **Eats:** Common Water Flea (*Daphnia pulex*) — A tiny crustacean, a common food source. ## Traits - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Deep Sea](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deep-sea): Deep sea habitats are characterized by extreme pressure, darkness, and cold temperatures, supporting unique life forms below the sunlit zone. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low The Fangtooth lives in the deep ocean and is not encountered by people, so there's no need to worry about it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Fangtooth? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Fangtooth? 5-15 cm ### How much does Fangtooth weigh? 0.005-0.05 kg ### How long does Fangtooth live? 1-3 years ### What does Fangtooth eat? Fangtooth fish primarily feast on tiny insects and zooplankton found floating in their freshwater homes. ### How fast can Fangtooth swim? 15 km/h ### Where is Fangtooth usually found? Deep Sea ### How does Fangtooth hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Fangtooth: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fangtooth)