Gaper (Chaunax pictus)

Photo Credit: S.W. Ross and M. Rhode (UNCW)

Description: The gaper may seem lazy but it’s really just sitting and waiting for dinner. As an ambush predator, the gaper hides and waits until prey swims close enough to become a meal. Its fins are modified to look and act almost like feet, allowing it to “walk” over the rocky reef habitat it calls home.

Geographic Distribution

Figure 1: Relative probability of occurrence of Gaper (Chaunax pictus) based on computer generated distribution maps. Data source: Aquamaps

Depth Profile

Figure 2: Approximate depth range of Gaper (black box). Slope of seafloor is a generalized representation of the Gulf of Mexico shelf and outer continental shelf.