Argyripnus pharos Harold & Lancaster, 2003
Argyripnus pharos
photo by Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash./Harold, A.S.

Family:  Sternoptychidae (Marine hatchetfishes), subfamily: Maurolicinae
Max. size:  7.89 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 100 - 492 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific. off Africa to the Philippines south to Indonesia and the Coral Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Vertebrae: 42-44. Distinguished by the following characters: gill rakers 15-16, usually 16 with typically 12 on the ventral limb; VAV + ACA photophores 13-18, photophore elevation 3.7-6.4% SL; 42-44 total vertebrae, usually 42 or 43; 9-12 dorsal fin rays; no uniquely derived characters known (Ref. 75774).
Biology:  A mesopelagic species captured near the seafloor by bottom trawl (ref. 75774).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 July 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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