Teleostei (teleosts) >
Stomiiformes (Lightfishes and dragonfishes) >
Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes) > Melanostomiinae
Etymology: Photonectes: Greek, photos = light + Greek, nekton = swimmer (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Regan & Trewavas.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic. Deep-water; 34°N - 26°S
Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to Guinea, and also Angola. Western Atlantic: USA to Bahamas, one record at 26°S 27°W.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 20.4 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4468)
Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal soft rays: 18 - 20. Body elongate and moderately slender. Short, blunt nonprotrusible snout. Short chin barbel bearing large terminal bulb and long terminal appendage (Ref. 37039).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Mesopelagic species (Ref. 27000).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Gibbs, R.H. and M.A. Barnett, 1990. Melanostomiidae. p. 308-337. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon; SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 1. (Ref. 4468)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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