Valenciennellus tripunctulatus (Esmark, 1871)
Constellationfish
Valenciennellus tripunctulatus
photo by Costa, F.

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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