| Scientific Name |
Megachasma pelagios |
| Discovery |
First discovered in 1976 off the coast of Hawaii. |
| Appearance |
Large mouth, bulbous head, rubbery lip, dark grey/black body with a white underbelly. |
| Size |
Up to 5.5 meters (18 feet) in length. |
| Diet |
Filter feeder, consuming plankton, jellyfish, and small fish. |
| Habitat |
Deepwater species, found at depths of 150 to 1,000 meters (490 to 3,280 feet). |
| Behavior |
Rarely seen, swims with mouth open to filter food. |
| Reproduction |
Presumed to be ovoviviparous, but details are largely unknown. |
| Distribution |
Wide but rare distribution in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. |
| Conservation Status |
Least Concerned (IUCN) |
| Scientific Interest |
Valued for its unique anatomy and role in the deep-sea ecosystem. |
