Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930
Hatchetfish
photo by Dolgov, A.

Family:  Sternoptychidae (Marine hatchetfishes), subfamily: Sternoptychinae
Max. size:  12 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 300 - 1000 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Portugal to South Africa; northern record from south Iceland (Ref. 4739). Western Atlantic: 40°N-40°S, including the Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 27768). One record from the Patagonian region of Argentina (Ref. 27363). Indian Ocean: 0°- 40°S. Eastern Pacific: 15°S-40°S. Western Pacific: 20°N-40°S.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-13. Dorsal blade present and well developed in front of dorsal fin (Ref. 27363). Deep body (Ref. 37473).
Biology:  An oceanic and mesopelagic species (Ref. 4739). No indication of diel migration (Ref. 4739). Adult complement of photophores acquired at about 1.4 cm SL (Ref. 4739).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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