Bathylagus antarcticus Günther, 1878
Antarctic deepsea smelt
Bathylagus antarcticus
photo by SFSA

Family:  Bathylagidae (Deep-sea smelts)
Max. size:  19 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 4000 m
Distribution:  South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific. Southern Ocean: circum-Antarctic.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 17-25
Biology:  Some studies on feeding have shown that euphausiids comprised 46% by weight of the food consumed by this species. Spawning probably occurs 3-4 times a year (Ref. 5002).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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