The daggertooth (Anotopterus spp.) is a deep-sea predatory fish found primarily in the cold, northern waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Characterized by its elongated body, sharp, fang-like teeth, and silvery coloration, the daggertooth is not a major commercial species but is occasionally caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawling operations. The primary countries that encounter and sometimes harvest daggertooth are Japan, Russia, and Norway, all of which have significant deep-sea fishing industries targeting species such as pollock, cod, and other groundfish. While daggertooth is not widely targeted due to its limited commercial value and challenging handling—its flesh is soft and deteriorates quickly after capture—it is sometimes processed into fishmeal or used locally. The species plays a more important ecological role as a mid-level predator in the deep-sea ecosystem than as a direct contributor to global fisheries.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.