Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
The deep ocean is one of the most inhospitable habitats on this planet, and animals have to find extreme ways to adapt or die out. For one, sunlight only goes as low as 1000 m, although any significant light rarely goes to 200 m, which means that there are no plants to photosynthesize and in turn, no plants for herbivores to graze on. No light means it would be harder for animals to rely on eyesight for looking out for food and predators or attracting mates. To combat this, many deep sea animals use bioluminescence to attract their prey, communicate, or to scare of predators. The most famous examples of this would be the deep sea anglerfish, but come on, they’re not the only lifeforms to do this. Other fish have adopted similar techniques, although not directly related to the anglerfish, including lanternfish and flashlight fish (technically a shallow water reef fish) mainly for communication while dragonfishes and their relatives, viperfish (the subject of this review) to lure prey. Viperfish get their namesake from the fangs in their mouth, resembling that of a viper snake. They are generally small fish, ranging from 30-60 cm. However, they are probably the most terrifying fish of that size, scarier than the more famous anglerfish and piranhas. Similar to the unrelated anglerfish, these deep sea fish has a modified dorsal fin containing a lure which is used to attract would-be prey. However, they themselves would have to be careful to not attract larger fish and dolphins. To humans however, they are nightmarish fish with more bark than bite. With a head of an anglerfish and a body of a sardine, they do make good spooky Halloween material!
About the figure: though not explicit stated, this species is stated to be a Sloane’s viperfish (Chauliodus sloani) across different platforms. The figure measures 5.5 cm from the lower jaw to the tail. Sloane’s viperfish range in size from 6.4-26 cm on average, although Fishbase states a maximum size of 35 cm, putting this figure in the 1:1-1:6 scale range. This figure is part of Kaiyodo’s Deep Sea Odyssey line, which includes other rarely or never made species prior to this line.
The figure is sculpted with its mouth wide open with the body and tail raised, probably to lure a prey item in. Interestingly, the gill cover is opened, exposing the fish’s gills, which may be the first of its kind and maybe the only one until PNSO released their Dunkleosteus, which has its gills open behind the armor plates.
The figure is sculpted on a clear plastic and is painted in a silvery color with a brown wash on the dorsal region and a lighter brown on the belly area, which also contains photophores. The mouth is wide open and unsurprisingly, the teeth are so large that the fish can’t even close them. The lower jaw is painted black and florescent yellow photophores are added as well. The eyes are the same color as the body and contain a black pupil. The fins on this fish are translucent, although the lure ends with a fluorescent yellow tip, which shows the glowing bioluminescent esca to attract prey. The figure is also paper thin which is accurate to real viperfishes and many serpentine fishes like beltfishes and oarfish. Overall, this little figure is a win for me!
This figure has been long retired as it was released back in 2001, although unlike the kaiyodo Aquatales, these Deep Sea Odyssey figures are relatively inexpensive at a few dollars per figure and usually less than a $100 USD for a whole set; maybe both sets if you’re lucky! Viperfish are rare in the market (not surprising for deep sea fish that are not anglerfish or frilled sharks) although they do exist. Chap Mei made a monstrous one which was released quite a few times before, Safari LTD made a highly inaccurate one, which was a wasted potential, and Colorata made a larger one, which is fortunately still in production. Until next time, have a spooky Halloween!
Other fishes (fangtooth and Gigantura) in the Deep Sea Odyssey that are in a similar scale, all ready to spook you!
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Great review.
It never ceases to amaze the places that life shows up. Even deep in the oceans, pitch black and bitterly cold, with tremendous pressure an ecosystem exists. Nourished by detritus drifting down from above, instead of sunlight. A whole new realm filled with little monsters.