Astronesthes niger Richardson, 1845
photo by Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Astronesthinae
Max. size:  16 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range - 0 m
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean: through most of the Atlantic, from about 43°N to 36°S, but absent in the west from 5°N to 20°S. Elsewhere, Indian Ocean.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-17; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-16. Black in color, pale luminous patches on middle of snout and along front of upper jaw (Ref. 3982). Pale luminous patches develop with growth on shoulder and on lower sides between pectoral and pelvic fins below dorsal (Ref. 3982). Body moderately elongate and slender, maxillary teeth comblike. Serial photophores are not broken into small groups (Ref. 37039).
Biology:  An oceanic and mesopelagic species usually found deeper than 500 m during the day. Feeds on midwater fishes and crustaceans. Most common species taken in surface nets at night (Ref. 2802).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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