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Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930 Hatchetfish |
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photo by
Dolgov, A. |
| Family: | Sternoptychidae (Marine hatchetfishes), subfamily: Sternoptychinae | |||
| Max. size: | 12 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | bathypelagic; marine; depth range 300 - 1000 m | |||
| Distribution: | Eastern Atlantic: Portugal to South Africa; northern record from south Iceland (Ref. 4739). Western Atlantic: 40°N-40°S, including the Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 27768). One record from the Patagonian region of Argentina (Ref. 27363). Indian Ocean: 0°- 40°S. Eastern Pacific: 15°S-40°S. Western Pacific: 20°N-40°S. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-13. Dorsal blade present and well developed in front of dorsal fin (Ref. 27363). Deep body (Ref. 37473). | |||
| Biology: | An oceanic and mesopelagic species (Ref. 4739). No indication of diel migration (Ref. 4739). Adult complement of photophores acquired at about 1.4 cm SL (Ref. 4739). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||