Snake mackerel

The snake mackerel (Gempylus serpens) is a species of fish in the monotypic genus Gempylus, belonging to the family Gempylidae (which is also referred to generally as "snake mackerels"). It is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceans between the latitudes of 42° N and 40° S; adults are known to stray into temperate waters. It is found to a depth of 600 meters (2,000 feet). Populations of the snake mackerel from the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific differ in vertebral count (51–55 versus 48–50) and number of first dorsal fin spines (30–32 versus 26–30), and so may represent separate species.

Description

The snake mackerel has a very long, slender, laterally compressed body. It has a long, pointed head, measuring 17–18% of the standard length, and a large mouth with the lower jaw protruding beyond the upper. Both jaws are densely packed with sharp teeth; the first few teeth in the upper jaw are enlarged into fangs. The pectoral fins contain 12–15 rays; the pelvic fins are tiny and located beneath the pectorals, containing 1 small spine and 3–4 rays. There are two dorsal fins; the first is long and spiny, and is followed immediately by the second, which contains 1 tiny spine and 11–14 soft rays. The anal fin originates opposite the second dorsal fin and consists of 2 free spines followed by 1 spine and 10–12 rays. The dorsal and anal fins are followed by 6–7 finlets. There are two lateral lines, with the upper running to the rear of the first dorsal fin and the lower running to the caudal peduncle. The scales are mostly absent. The coloration is metallic brown, with dark fins. This species grows to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length.

Black snake

Black snake may refer to:

Snakes:

Other:

Black snake (firework)

Black snake and Pharaoh's serpent are two similar types of firework.

After being lit, both fireworks begin to smoke and spew out ash resembling a snake via an intumescent reaction. They stay on the ground and do not emit sparks, flares, any form of projectiles, or any sound, but may release smoke.

Sodium bicarbonate which produces carbon dioxide gas, and sugar forming carbon containing ash, are common chemicals used for the black snake demonstration. Other sources report the contents as "a nitrated mixture of linseed oil and naphthalenes".

The traditional "Pharaoh's serpent" version of this firework produced a more impressive snake, but its operation depended upon mercury (II) thiocyanate, which is no longer used because of its toxicity.

In popular culture

Black Snake (film)

Black Snake is a 1973 American film directed by Russ Meyer. It was Meyer's return to self-financed projects, following the end of his brief deal at 20th Century Fox. Meyer's only attempt at the Blaxploitation genre, it was filmed in Panavision and was shot on location in Barbados.

A period piece about colonial slavery, the plot centered on Lady Susan, a cruel slave-owner and plantation mistress, and her domination of both the black and white men on the island. Anouska Hempel, a New Zealand-born actress well known in the UK, was cast at the last minute when Meyer's original lead fell ill.

Meyer was dissatisfied with the film, and for years afterwards he complained of Hempel's unsuitability for her part. In the late 1990s Hempel, now Lady Weinberg, bought the British rights; since then it has not been seen on UK television, though it has been released on DVD there.

Black Snake was originally released theatrically in the UK as Slaves and has also been released under the title Sweet Suzy.

Black snake mackerel

The black snake mackerel (Nealotus tripes) is a species of snake mackerel found worldwide in both tropical and temperate waters where they are found at depths of from 914 to 1,646 metres (2,999 to 5,400 ft) making diel vertical migrations from mesopelagic depths to the surface at night. It can reach a length of 25 centimetres (9.8 in) SL though most do not exceed 15 centimetres (5.9 in) SL. It is important to local peoples as a food fish. This species is currently the only known member of its genus, Nealotus. That genus is therefore said to be monotypic.

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