Astronesthes richardsoni (Poey, 1852)
Richardson's snaggletooth
Astronesthes richardsoni
photo by Reiner, F.

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Astronesthinae
Max. size:  17.2 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 32.9 g
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 275 - 1000 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Mauritania south to Angola; reported from central Namibia (Ref. 27121). Western Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico and Bahamas area; and across the Atlantic (20°N-10°S). One specimen known from the southwest Atlantic (25°27'S, 35°56'W).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal soft rays: 12-15. Barbel without pigment, tapering to end, lacking swelling or bulb (Ref. 37473). Body moderately elongate and slender. Maxillary teeth closely spaced. Serial photophores not broken into small groups. Luminous patches present on margin of operculum. Black in color (Ref. 37039).
Biology:  Oceanic, usually living deeper than 500 m during the day. Smaller individuals migrate to the surface at night. Possibly feeding on crustaceans and fishes (Ref. 58426). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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