Teleostei (teleosts) >
Myctophiformes (Lanternfishes) >
Myctophidae (Lanternfishes) > Lampanyctinae
Etymology: Lampanyctus: Greek, lampas, -ados = torch + Greek, nykte = night (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Andriashev.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243). Deep-water; 21°S -
Circumglobal from the Subtropical Convergence to south of the Antarctic Polar Front at Weddell-Scotia confluence and northern reaches of Ross Sea, and extending northwards to 21°S in meridional currents.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 13 - ? cm
Max length : 16.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5182)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 16; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 15 - 19; Vertebrae: 36 - 38. 14-16 AO photophores; 9-12 tooth patches on the lower limb of the second gill arch; 34-38 lateral line organs (Ref. 36121). Pectoral fins relatively long and well developed in juveniles (easily visible in individuals up to about 6 cm SL), progressively becoming relatively shorter, with thicker rays, and covered by skin (in various stages of becoming vestigial between 5-8 cm SL). Adults (greater than 8 cm SL) with vestigial rays buried in skin and not externally visible unless skin abraded or otherwise torn (Ref. 36121).
Oceanic (Ref. 4479) and mesopelagic (Ref. 75154). Usually found below 500 m at night but shallower in upwelling regions.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Zahuranec, B.J., 2000. Zoogeography and systematics of the lanternfishes of the genus Nannobrachium (Myctophidae: Lampanictini). Smithson. Contrib. Zool., 607:1-69. (Ref. 36121)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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