Hygophum proximum Becker, 1965
Firefly lanternfish
Hygophum proximum
photo by SFSA

Family:  Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Myctophinae
Max. size:  5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 1000 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Indian and Pacific: widespread in the tropical and subtropical waters. South China Sea (Ref.74511).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 17-21. Anal organs 12; mature males with large, single, black-edged supracaudal gland, about 3/4 or more of the supracaudal space; mature females with 2 infracaudal glands; has a larger supracaudal gland than any other species of the genus (Ref. 39633).
Biology:  Oceanic and mesopelagic. Nyctoepipelagic at the surface (Ref. 4066). Neustonic at 0-150 m at night, 500-700 m during day (Ref. 58302). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 31442).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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