Steindachneria argentea Goode & Bean, 1896
Luminous hake
photo by Duarte, L.O.

Family:  Steindachneriidae (Luminous hakes)
Max. size:  40.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 400 - 500 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico through Central America to Venezuela.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 123-125. Body long, compressed, tapering to a fine point posteriorly; anus situated between pelvic fins widely separated from the urogenital opening situated anterior to anal fin origin. A striated light organ is present on the ventral half of the body and on the sides of the head. Pyloric caeca absent. First pelvic fin ray long, filamentous, reaching to anus when depressed. Color is silvery, the dorsal portions slightly brownish, purplish ventrally; oral cavity darker.
Biology:  Inhabits the outer shelf and upper slopes, on soft bottoms.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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