Lampanyctus ritteri Gilbert, 1915
Broadfin lampfish
Lampanyctus ritteri
photo by Chu, E.

Family:  Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Lampanyctinae
Max. size:  12 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 20 - 1095 m
Distribution:  Northeast Pacific: British Columbia, Canada to Baja California, Mexico. Bekker (1983) reported a distribution from off Central and South America but this is an error (Ref. 36121). Larvae collected from Taiwan Strait (Ref. 43570).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-19; Vertebrae: 36-38. 15-16 AO photophores; 7-8 tooth patches on lower limb of second gill arch; 35-38 lateral line organs (Ref. 36121). Pectoral fins well developed with rather robust, stout rays (Ref. 36121). Nearly black to metallic blue dorsally, lighter on sides, black in mouth and gill cavity; fins dusky, marked with fine wavy lines (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Epipelagic to mesopelagic (Ref. 31442). Adults feed on Sagitta, young fishes, copepods, and euphausiids (Ref. 6885). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 31442). Lipid content is 14.2 % in fresh body weight and wax ester is 58% in total lipids (Ref. 9197).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 July 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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