Metelectrona ventralis (Becker, 1963)
Flaccid lanternfish
photo by SFSA

Family:  Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Myctophinae
Max. size:  10.7 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 2 years
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 426 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Circumglobal. In the Southern Ocean, known only as stomach contents of fishes from 48°-50°S, 70°-71°E.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 20-22
Biology:  Oceanic and mesopelagic; from the surface to 350 m at night (Ref. 4066). Encountered in the stomach contents of Champsocephalus gunnari and Dissostichus eleginoides.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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