Teleostei (teleosts) >
Stomiiformes (Lightfishes and dragonfishes) >
Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes) > Melanostomiinae
Etymology: Photonectes: Greek, photos = light + Greek, nekton = swimmer (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: These are not eponyms but relate to the meanings of ‘margarita’; pearl and daisy. The dragonfish was so-named due to having a “pearl-colored spot above the maxilla”. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on authors: Goode & Bean.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 700 - 5087 m (Ref. 58018). Deep-water; 40°N - 29°S, 98°W - 150°E
Circumglobal.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 39.6 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4468)
Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 18; Anal soft rays: 19 - 25; Vertebrae: 60 - 63. This species of the subgenus Trachinostomias is distinguished by the following characters: vertebrae 60-63 (as an exception, can be reduced to 58); photophores of series IV, 41-45; jaws with uniformly sized teeth; pectoral fin, usually 1 ray P (as an exception, 0 or 2); body with spots of white luminous tissue; mental barbel with a small bulb or even without it, but always with the developed appendages (Ref. 125184).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Mesopelagic species (Ref. 559).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Prokofiev, A.M., 2015. Data for the revision of subgenus Trachinostomias (Melanostomiidae: Photonectes). Morphological variability of P. margarita with description of two new species. J. Ichthyol. 55(2):147-154. (Ref. 125184)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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