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Microstoma microstoma (Risso, 1810) Slender argentine |
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photo by
Mac Eachern, W.J. |
| Family: | Microstomatidae (Pencil smelts) | |||
| Max. size: | 21 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | bathypelagic; marine | |||
| Distribution: | Probably worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas. Eastern Atlantic: southern Ireland, scattered records in western Mediterranean, also Madeira Islands. Western Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 27768). Western Pacific: Australia (Ref. 7300) and New Zealand (Ref. 5755). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 7-9; Vertebrae: 44-45. Body silvery, darker near tail (Ref. 3978). Swim bladder faintly colored. Adults mostly silver (Ref. 37473). | |||
| Biology: | Mesopelagic species (Ref. 3978, 58302). Generally solitary. Probably feeds on zooplankton. Spawns throughout the year in the Mediterranean, more in winter. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 July 2014 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||