Astronesthes gemmifer Goode & Bean, 1896
Astronesthes gemmifer
photo by Reiner, F.

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Astronesthinae
Max. size:  17 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 2400 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean: North Atlantic to about 62°N, western South Atlantic to 32°S (in the eastern central Atlantic, from 30°N to about 11°S; not known from the Gulf of Guinea (5°N to 10°S) but probably inhabits all other oceanic areas). Elsewhere, Indian and Pacific oceans.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal soft rays: 16-19. Moderately elongate and slender. Maxillary teeth are comblike, closely spaced. Serial photophores are not broken into small groups. Luminous patches are lacking from the top of head and body (Ref. 37039). Barbel longer than the head, terminal expanded, ventral half of the bulb is darkly pigmented (Ref. 37473). Body black (Ref. 37039).
Biology:  An oceanic and mesopelagic species usually found deeper than 500 m during the day (Ref. 2802). Epi- and bathy-benthopelagic at 58-1900 m to 3200 m fishing depths (Ref. 58302). Feeds on midwater fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 2802).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 19 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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