Teleostei (teleosts) >
Argentiniformes (Marine smelts) >
Microstomatidae (Pencil smelts)
Eponymy: Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) was a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and later recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 0 - 580 m (Ref. 5123). Tropical; 20°N - 10°S
Eastern Atlantic.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 16.8 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5123)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 41 - 42. Branchiostegal 4. Pyloric caeca 7-9. Origin of dorsal fin base in front of center of the body. A dark pigment spot at adipose fin base (Ref. 5123).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Cohen, D.M., 1990. Argentinidae. p. 235-238. 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. 4458)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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