Head to head
Elephant Fish vs Spotted Ratfish
Both chimaeras live in relatively shallow coastal water, but each is known for a completely different standout feature.
| Elephant Fish | Spotted Ratfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Callorhinchus milii | Hydrolagus colliei |
| Distinguishing feature | A long, flexible, trunk-like snout | Large, reflective, green-glowing eyes |
| Typical range | Southern Hemisphere coastal waters | Pacific coast of North America |
| Daily behaviour | Not documented as depth-migrating by time of day | Moves into shallow water at night, deeper by day |
| Reproduction | Lays spiral-ridged egg cases | Lays egg cases |
| Commercial importance | Fished commercially in parts of its range | Not documented as commercially fished |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Habitat | Ocean, coastal | Ocean, coastal |
Elephant Fish vs Spotted Ratfish: common questions
What is each chimaera best known for, its snout or its eyes?
The elephant fish is best known for its long, flexible, trunk-like snout packed with electroreceptors, while the spotted ratfish is best known for its large, strongly reflective eyes that glow bright green under artificial light.
Which one changes depth between day and night?
The spotted ratfish is the one that changes depth this way, moving into much shallower coastal water at night before retreating to deeper water during the day, a pattern not documented in the elephant fish.
Which one is commercially fished?
The elephant fish is the one fished commercially in parts of its Southern Hemisphere range, while the spotted ratfish is not documented as a target of any significant commercial fishery.