Myctophum punctatum Rafinesque, 1810
Spotted lanternfish
photo by Orlov, A.

Family:  Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Myctophinae
Max. size:  11 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 1000 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Mauritanian Upwelling Region (15°N-20°N) with isolates as far as 30°N; includes the Mediterranean Sea. Western Atlantic: Greenland to USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  High-oceanic, mesopelagic (Ref. 4479). Nyctoepipelagic at the surface and down to 125 m and found between 225-750 m during the day (Ref. 4479). Feeds on copepods, euphausiids, zoea stages of Brachyura and fish fry (Ref. 4775). Sexually mature when 5 cm long. Female produces 8-900 eggs (Ref. 35388).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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