Neoscopelus macrolepidotus Johnson, 1863
Large-scaled lantern fish
Neoscopelus macrolepidotus
photo by Reyes, R.B.

Family:  Neoscopelidae (Blackchins)
Max. size:  25 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 300 - 1180 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Morocco to Western Sahara; reported from Namibia (Ref. 27121). Western Atlantic: off Suriname and Nicaragua, and off southern Brazil. Indian Ocean: off Natal, South Africa and in the Great Australian Bight in the eastern side. Western Pacific: Australia (Ref. 7300). Eastern Pacific: British Columbia, Canada (Ref. 11980) and the Hawaiian Islands. South China Sea and East China Sea (Ref.74511).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Sides of head and body dark red; silvery white below; fins pink (Ref. 6604).
Biology:  Found over continental and island slopes. No evidence of vertical migrations (Ref. 6690). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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