Argyropelecus sladeni Regan, 1908
Sladen's hatchet fish
photo by JAMARC

Family:  Sternoptychidae (Marine hatchetfishes), subfamily: Sternoptychinae
Max. size:  8.3 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 13.2 g
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 2926 m
Distribution:  Atlantic, Indian and Pacific: in tropical waters. Eastern Atlantic: Cape Blanc, Mauritania to Namibia. Eastern Pacific: Oregon to southern California in the USA (Ref. 265). Southeast Pacific: Chile (Ref. 9068). South China Sea (Ref.74511).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-12; Vertebrae: 35-38. Branchiostegal rays: 10 (Ref. 35838).
Biology:  Mesopelagic (Ref. 58302). Found in 50-600 m during the day and 100-375 m at night (Ref. 4054). Feed on copepods (Ref. 6885). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 35838).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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