Stylephorus chordatus Shaw, 1791
Tube-eye
Stylephorus chordatus
photo by SFSA

Family:  Stylephoridae (Tube-eyes or thread-tails)
Max. size:  28 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 300 - 800 m
Distribution:  Tropical to subtropical in all oceans. Western Atlantic: southeastern Florida in USA and northeastern Gulf of Mexico through Lesser Antilles (Ref. 7251). Eastern Atlantic: Canary Islands (Ref. 6808); numerous specimens collected between the equator and approximately 20°N.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 119-124; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 14-16. Body silvery, head dark violet (Ref. 4172).
Biology:  A mesopelagic (Ref. 6808) at 300-600 m at night, 625-800 during day (Ref. 58302) and uncommon species. Swims in a vertical position, probably migrates over 200-300 m vertical distance each day-night cycle. Feeds on copepods (Ref. 6741).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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