Depth
Lepidopus · Bony Fish

Silver Scabbardfish

Lepidopus caudatus

100-600m
Depth Range
210cm
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
100-600m
Depth Range
210cm
Max Size
Deep pelagic
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Solitary
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Rare
Sighting Likelihood
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Genus Lepidopus
Species caudatus

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationExtremely elongated, ribbon-like body that is bright silver and strongly compressed. Very long, low dorsal fin running nearly the full body length. Large mouth with prominent fang-like teeth. Body tapers to a thin, whip-like tail with no tail fin.
  • SizeUp to 210 cm total length, commonly 100 to 150 cm.
  • Social HabitForms aggregations in deep water, often oriented vertically in the water column.
  • HabitatDeep water above the continental slope. Found in midwater during the day and near the surface at night.
  • Depth100 to 600 m, occasionally shallower at night.
  • Feeds OnSmall fish and crustaceans caught in midwater.
  • DistributionEastern Atlantic from Norway to South Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionA striking, sword-shaped fish that looks like a living ribbon of silver. Its body is so flat and thin it is virtually invisible when viewed head-on. The silver scabbardfish is a deep-water species rarely encountered by divers, though specimens occasionally wash ashore or are caught by fishers.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Inhabits deep waters from about 100 to 600 metres, typically over continental slopes and deep-sea plains. In the Mediterranean, it is most common in deeper basins where it makes vertical migrations following prey.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Prefers deep pelagic and benthopelagic environments above muddy or sandy bottoms. Undertakes nightly vertical migrations, moving closer to the surface to feed before returning to depth at dawn.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Silver Scabbardfish species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

A voracious predator of mid-water fish, squid and crustaceans, using its large eyes and fang-like teeth to hunt efficiently in deep, low-light conditions.

Deep-Water Predator

Reproduction

Spawns in deep water, with eggs and larvae rising to shallower depths where food is more abundant. Growth is relatively slow and individuals can live over 10 years.

Deep Spawner

Behaviour & Defence

Its extremely laterally compressed, ribbon-like body makes it difficult for predators to target head-on. The bright silver colouration reflects what little light exists at depth, potentially confusing predators.

Ribbon Body Profile

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Lepidopus caudatus may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red List Least Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide