Yarrella blackfordi Goode & Bean, 1896
photo by JAMARC

Family:  Phosichthyidae (Lightfishes)
Max. size:  33 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 350 - 1000 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Cape Blanc, Mauritania to Angola; extending to Walvis Bay, Namibia (Ref. 11228). Western Central Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 27768) and Cuba (Ref. 26340).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-17; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 28-31. Black in color with dusky pigmentation on median fins; pectoral and pelvic fins are colorless (Ref. 3988).
Biology:  Mesopelagic, adults found in 500-700 m depth (Ref. 4470). Living on or near the bottom, probably moves in schools (Ref. 37473).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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