| Family: |
Phosichthyidae (Lightfishes) |
| Max. size: |
4.3 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 50 - 1500 m |
| Distribution: |
Circumglobal (Ref. 3988), subtropical waters (Ref.47377). Eastern Atlantic: Portugal to Cape Verde, including the eastern Mediterranean. Western Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 27768). Northwest Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951). Western Pacific: Australia (including Western Australia and Tasmania) (Ref. 7300) and New Zealand (Ref. 5755). Eastern Pacific: Seaward edge of the California Current region (Ref. 35839); also found in Chile (Ref. 9068). South China Sea (Ref.74511). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-15; Vertebrae: 38-41. Dorsum dark, flanks silvery; dark pigment streak at lower jaw symphysis and over premaxilla; fins lacking color (Ref. 3988). Dorsal adipose fin present. Branchiostegal rays: 11 (Ref. 35839). Photophores conspicuous (Ref. 37473). |
| Biology: |
Epi- (Ref. 58302) and mesopelagic, mostly found at 300-600 m during the day and at 50-350 m at night (Ref. 3988, 58302); both juveniles and adults make diel vertical migrations (Ref. 4778). Feed on small crustaceans (Ref. 4778). Adult photophore complement attained at about 19 mm SL (Ref. 4778). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 35839). Spawning takes place throughout the year in Mediterranean (Ref. 37473). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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