Etmopterus lucifer Jordan & Snyder, 1902
Blackbelly lanternshark
photo by Fischer, L.G.

Family:  Etmopteridae (Lantern sharks)
Max. size:  55 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 775.0 g
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 150 - 1357 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Japan to Philippines.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Dark grey (Ref. 6577) or brown dorsally, black ventrally, with a distinct black streak above and behind pelvic fins; fins lighter; belly luminous (Ref. 26346). Small and slender with a moderately elongate caudal peduncle and with flank denticles mostly arranged in regular rows. The base of the pelvic flank marking is under the second dorsal-fin spine, the anterior branch is usually longer than the posterior branch, and the caudal marking is considerably longer than the precaudal marking (Ref. 6871).
Biology:  Found on the outer continental and insular shelves and upper slopes (Ref. 247). Its luminescent belly may attract prey (Ref. 26346), which consists mainly of squid (reported to bite squid bigger than itself), small bony fishes, and shrimps (Ref. 247). Often caught in large schools which may suggest that the luminescence may also be used to keep the group together in the dark deep ocean (Ref. 26346). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205), size at birth about 15 cm (Ref. 6871).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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