| Family: |
Phosichthyidae (Lightfishes) |
| Max. size: |
6 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 100 - 600 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: as far north as 60°N, 20°W (Ref. 4778); Canary Islands (Ref. 4470) to off west African coast (Ref. 3988). Western Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 27768). Elsewhere, North Atlantic (60°-30°) and western Pacific. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 22-30. Dark dorsum, flanks silver (Ref. 3988). Slender body, longer anal fin and tail set (Ref. 37473). |
| Biology: |
An oceanic and mesopelagic species, adults and juveniles usually found at 200-500 m by day and the majority of them migrate into upper 100-200 m at night. Feeds mainly on small crustaceans. Dioecious with peak spawning during summer. Adult photophore complement attained at about 25-27 mm SL (Ref. 4778). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
