Teleostei (teleosts) >
Stomiiformes (Lightfishes and dragonfishes) >
Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes) > Melanostomiinae
Etymology: Photonectes: Greek, photos = light + Greek, nekton = swimmer (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Regan & Trewavas.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 100 - 700 m (Ref. 4468). Tropical; 27°N - 24°S, 98°W - 169°E
Eastern Atlantic: a single record at 3°S 19°W. Western Atlantic: Lesser Antilles. Single specimens from the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4468)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 20; Anal soft rays: 22. Body elongate and slender. Short, blunt nonprotrusible snout. Chin barbel large, round bulb and leaflike terminal appendage (Ref. 37039).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Gibbs, R.H. and M.A. Barnett, 1990. Melanostomiidae. p. 308-337. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon; SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 1. (Ref. 4468)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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