either of two species of widely distributed, deepwater marine fish of the genus Alepisaurus (family Alepisauridae). Lancet fish are elongated and slender, with a long, very tall dorsal fin and a large mouth that is equipped with formidable fanglike teeth. The fish grow to a large size, attaining a maximum length of about 1.8 m (6 feet). Voracious and carnivorous, they feed on a variety of fish and invertebrates. The longnose lancet fish (A. ferox) is found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The shortnose lancet fish (A. brevirostris) inhabits the Atlantic and south Pacific oceans.