Chiasmodon niger

Chiasmodon niger, Black Swallower. Source: Johnson & Keene (1986).
Chiasmodon niger, Black Swallower.
Source: Johnson & Keene (1986).
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
ChiasmodontidaeChiasmodon nigerJohnson1864Black Swallower

Chiasmodon niger

Unique Characteristics: One or more of the 3 anteriormost jaw teeth distinctly longer than any posterior tooth. No gill tooth plates. Vertebrae 43-48.

Similar Species:

Kali macrodon, Largetooth Swallower

Kali macrodon, Largetooth Swallower. Source: Johnson & Keene (1986).
Kali macrodon, Largetooth Swallower.
Source: Johnson & Keene (1986).

Largetooth Swallower, Kali macrodon. None of the 3 anteriormost jaw teeth are as long as some more posterior teeth in inner row. Tooth plates (small nodules of bone with 1-3 tiny teeth per plate) present on 1st 3 gill arches. Vertebrae 33-41.

Reference

Johnson, R.K. and M.J.Keene. 1986. Family No. 228:Chiasmodontidae In Smith’s sea fishes, edited by M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra. Johannesburg, Macmillan South Africa, pp. 731-334