Family: |
Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Myctophinae |
Max. size: |
11 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 557 - 1497 m |
Distribution: |
North Pacific: Japan, and from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 19-21; Vertebrae: 37-40. Adipose fin short based and slender; pectorals long, reaching beyond pelvic insertion but not reaching anus (Ref. 6885). Black dorsally, silvery on sides; dusky on bases of fins; light from photophores pale green (Ref. 6885). Branchiostegal rays: 9-10 (Ref. 31442). |
Biology: |
Epipelagic to mesopelagic, at surface at night (Ref. 31442). Adults feed on small crustaceans (Ref. 11712). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 31442). Lipid content is 4.3 % in fresh body weight, while wax ester is present in trace amounts (Ref. 9197). Preyed upon by fishes, cephalopods, birds and marine mammals. Easily attracted to a light suspended above the water at night and many are captured in dipnets (Ref. 4525). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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