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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