Benthosema Suborbitale
Family
Myctophidae (Lanternfishes)
Order
Myctophiformes (lanternfishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Maximum Size
3.9 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 4479); max. reported age: 1 years
Environment
Bathypelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth range 50 - 2500 m
Climate
Deep-water; 50°N - 50°S, 180°W - 180°E
Importance
fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resiliance
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=3.65; tm=0.4; tmax=0.9)
Distribution
Circumglobal in tropical and temperate waters, but with a distinct equatorial gap in the Pacific. Eastern Atlantic: Morocco to Mauritania and from Liberia to Namibia (absent in Mauritanian Upwelling Region).
Diagnosis
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 16-19; Vertebrae: 33-35
Biology
High-oceanic, epipelagic to mesopelagic, found in 375-750 m during the day and near the surface to 125 m at night. Adults feed on zooplankton. Caudal glands develop in both sexes from about 1.9 cm. Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae
