Protomyctophum thompsoni (Chapman, 1944)
Bigeye lanternfish

Family:  Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Myctophinae
Max. size:  5.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 785 - 1500 m
Distribution:  North Pacific: Japan (Ref. 559), the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench and the Bering Sea eastward to the Gulf of Alaska south to Baja California.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 21-25; Vertebrae: 37-39. Adipose fin moderate (Ref. 6885). Metallic blue dorsally, bright silvery ventrally (Ref. 6885). Branchiostegal rays: 8-9 (Ref. 31442).
Biology:  Epipelagic to mesopelagic (Ref. 31442). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 31442).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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