| Family: |
Sternoptychidae (Marine hatchetfishes), subfamily: Maurolicinae |
| Max. size: |
3.1 cm SL (male/unsexed); 3.1 cm SL (female) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 100 - 1000 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Worldwide in tropical to temperate waters (Ref. 37039). Eastern Atlantic: scattered records in Iceland, Ireland, Mediterranean Sea, also from Portugal southward to Namibia. Western Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 27768). Northwest Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951). Eastern Pacific: California Current region (Ref. 35838). South China Sea (Ref.74511). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-10; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 22-25. Silvery in color during the day, darker at night. Branchiostegal rays: 9-10 (Ref. 35838). Unique arrangements of the photophores on the tail, five separated groups containing 2-4 light organs (Ref. 37473). |
| Biology: |
Oceanic and mesopelagic, with marked stratification of size with depth (Ref. 4739). Generally non-migrant or only short diel vertical migrations (Ref. 4739). A selective daytime feeder on copepods (mainly Pleuromamma and ostracods, Conchoecia) (Ref. 4739). Also Ref. 58302. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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