Lampanyctus ater Tåning, 1928
Dusky lanternfish
Lampanyctus ater
photo by SFSA

Family:  Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Lampanyctinae
Max. size:  18.1 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 36.3 g
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 60 - 1100 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Most widely distributed species of Nannobrachium (Ref. 36121). Atlantic Ocean: bipolar, generally between 17°N-58°N and 15°S-40°S. Indian Ocean: 12°S-44°S. Southwest Pacific: between Australia and New Zealand, and in the Tasman Sea. Southern Ocean: 45°10'S, 69°12'E (Ref. 5182).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 17-21; Vertebrae: 36-39. 7.5-10 tooth patches on the lower limb of the second gill arch; 12-15 AO photophores; 36-39 lateral line organs (Ref. 36121). Pectoral fins with extremely weak and flexible rays (Ref. 36121).
Biology:  Oceanic and mesopelagic (Ref. 4066), found between 550-850 m during the day; between 60-850 m at night with maximum abundance between 100-150 m (Ref. 4479). Size stratification with depth during the day (Ref. 4066).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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