Sternoptyx pseudobscura Baird, 1971
Highlight hatchetfish
Sternoptyx pseudobscura
photo by Mincarone, M.M.

Family:  Sternoptychidae (Marine hatchetfishes), subfamily: Sternoptychinae
Max. size:  6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 800 - 2000 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Widely distributed in the three major oceans. Eastern Atlantic: Portugal south to South Africa. Eastern Pacific: British Columbia, Canada (Ref. 11980). South China Sea and East China Sea (Ref.74511).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 13-15; Vertebrae: 27-30. Triangular transparent membrane above anal fin (Ref. 13608).
Biology:  Oceanic (Ref. 4739). Meso- and bathypelagic (Ref. 58302). Does not exhibits vertical migration (Ref. 4462). Feeds on copepods, ostracods, euphausiids, amphipods, decapods (Ref. 4739). Photophores develop in adults over 16-18 mm SL (Ref. 4739). Minimum depth from Ref. 004054.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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