Ceratoscopelus townsendi (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889)
Dogtooth lampfish

Family:  Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Lampanyctinae
Max. size:  18.4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 100 - 500 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal. Common south of 35°N. North Pacific: off Japan (Ref. 11721), Hawaii (Ref. 11750), and from off southern British Columbia, Canada to southern California, USA. Western Central Atlantic: Cuba. Southeast Atlantic: Agulhas Current Region (Ref. 41388).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 13-16; Vertebrae: 35-38. Adipose fin slender; pectorals long and slender (Ref. 6885). Black with bluish metallic reflections from opercles and scales; dusky on median fins, paired fins unpigmented (Ref. 6885). Branchiostegal rays: 9 (Ref. 31442).
Biology:  Bathypelagic at 0-200 m at night, 425-1500 m during day (Ref. 58302). Epipelagic to mesopelagic (Ref. 31442). Depth range is between 300 to 600m during the day, and from 25 to 300 at night (Ref. 54154). Reported to feed on crustaceans (Ref. 6885). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 31442).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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