Astronesthes bilobatus Parin & Borodulina, 1996
Twinlobe snaggletooth

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Astronesthinae
Max. size:  20.8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 50 - 2230 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Its range seems to represent the equatorial distributional pattern; it expands southwards in the western parts of the Pacific (including the Philippine Sea, Ref. 41299), and Indian oceans; absent in the eastern part. Atlantic Ocean: Present in a small portion near southern Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-17; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-16; Vertebrae: 43-46. Last photophore of VAL series behind origin of anal and last photophore of VAV series. Aggregation of luminous tissue on head, when fully developed fish > 10 cm SL, forming transverse bar across gill cover; longitudinally oriented aggregations of luminous tubercle-like spots on body behind head and above pelvic fins. In immature fish < 6 cm SL, chin barbel fully developed, longer than head, its swollen tip forming elongate thickened rod with two flattened distal lobes (Ref. 27676).
Biology:  Epi- and mesopelagic, with fishing depths to 4000 m (Ref. 58302). Found on the continental slope (Ref. 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 July 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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