Gonichthys cocco (Cocco, 1829)
Cocco’s lanternfish
photo by Costa, F.

Family:  Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Myctophinae
Max. size:  6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 1450 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Portugal to Liberia and from Angola to South Africa including eastern Mediterranean. Western Atlantic: about 50°N, east of 40°W or south of the Slope Water Region west of 40°W to about Brazil (absent over the minimum region off Brazil and lower abundance in the South Sargasso Sea).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 21-23. Mature males with 6-8 supracaudal luminous structures; mature females with 3-6 infracaudal luminous patches.
Biology:  Oceanic, found between 425-1,000 m during the day with maximum abundance at 425-650 m (Ref. 4479). Nyctoepipelagic from the surface to 175 m (Ref. 4479).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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