Stomias affinis Günther, 1887
Günther's boafish
Stomias affinis
photo by Welter-Schultes, F.

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Stomiinae
Max. size:  21.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 3182 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal in tropical and subtropical waters (Ref. 41299). Eastern Atlantic: Mauritania south to Angola. Also across the Atlantic between 0 and 20°N, extending to 35°N and 39°S in the western part (USA to Argentina). South China Sea, East China Sea and waters near to Taiwan (Ref.74511).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-20; Anal soft rays: 18-23. Small teeth on each side of mandibular symphysis. Small photophores in the body (Ref. 37473).
Biology:  Some individuals may migrate to the surface at night (Ref. 27000). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 27000. Feed mainly on myctophids (Ref. 47377).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 May 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.