Scopelarchus guentheri Alcock, 1896
Staring pearleye
Scopelarchus guentheri
photo by SFSA

Family:  Scopelarchidae (Pearleyes)
Max. size:  12 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 4000 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean: mainly in tropical areas (Ref. 6601), widespread in the eastern Atlantic with records from ca. 7°N to 23°S, but unknown from the Gulf of Guinea/Benguela Current. Indo-Pacific: in tropical and subtropical areas (Ref. 6601). Eastern Pacific: in the California Current region off southern California and Baja California peninsula (Ref. 35929); off Chile (Ref. 9068). South China Sea (Ref.74511).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-8; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 24-29; Vertebrae: 46-51. Pigment on body limited to dark stripes dorsal and ventral to lateral line (Ref. 6601). Branchiostegal rays: 8 (Ref. 35929).
Biology:  Oceanic and mesopelagic (Ref. 6601, 58302, 75154). Adults have been captured at depths in excess of 500 m, although they have also been captured in the upper 150 m at night. Larvae have usually been taken in hauls restricted to the upper 100 m. Synchronous hermaphrodites (Ref. 10755). Oviparous, with planktonic larvae (Ref. 35929).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 May 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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