Astronesthes similus Parr, 1927
Astronesthes similus
photo by NOAA\NMFS\Mississippi Laboratory

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Astronesthinae
Max. size:  15 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 850 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, including the Antilles (Ref. 26383).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-21. Body moderately elongate and slender. Luminous patches are absent on head and body. Black in color (Ref. 37039). Filaments rising from the sides of the terminal bulb of the barbel (Ref. 37473).
Biology:  Feeds on fishes (Ref. 37039).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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