Gonostoma atlanticum Norman, 1930
Atlantic fangjaw
photo by SFSA

Family:  Gonostomatidae (Bristlemouths)
Max. size:  6.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 50 - 1352 m
Distribution:  Worldwide. Eastern Atlantic: Madeira (Ref. 4769), Canary Islands (Ref. 6808) and Cape Verde (Ref. 27000); Senegal to Gulf of Guinea (Ref. 4463). Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific: in tropical and subtropical waters (Ref. 4463), including the Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 27768). Eastern Pacific: California Current region (Ref. 35800). South China Sea (Ref.74511).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 26-31. Dark dorsally, silvery finish on translucent flanks; fin rays colorless; black pigment at base of each dorsal and anal ray (Ref. 3991). Branchiostegal rays: 11-12 (Ref. 35800). Longer trunk and shorter tail (Ref. 37473).
Biology:  Mesopelagic (Ref. 58302). Exhibit diel vertical migrations, juveniles and adults mainly at 300-600 by day and at 50-200 by night (Ref. 4463, 58302). Feed on copepods and euphausiids (Ref. 4769). Photophores developing in fishes over 12-20 mm SL (Ref. 4769). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 35800).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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