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Argentiniformes (Marine smelts) >
Microstomatidae (Pencil smelts)
Eponymy: Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) was a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and later recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 865 m (Ref. 5123). Subtropical; 35°N - 7°S
Eastern Pacific: southern region of California Current south of 35°N.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 26.6 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Adults are found in continental slope regions. Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 35612). Larvae and juveniles pelagic in the upper 200-m layer and more broadly distributed than adults (Ref. 5123).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Moser, H.G. and J.L. Butler, 1996. Microstomatidae: argentines and pencilfishes. p. 208-215. In H.G. Moser (ed.) The early stages of fishes in the California Current Region. California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) Atlas No. 33. 1505 p. (Ref. 35612)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 7.8 - 14.8, mean 11.4 °C (based on 35 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00389 (0.00180 - 0.00842), b=3.12 (2.94 - 3.30), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (22 of 100).