Teleostei (teleosts) >
Argentiniformes (Marine smelts) >
Microstomatidae (Pencil smelts)
Eponymy: Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) was a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and later recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 300 - 500 m (Ref. 5951). Temperate; 53°N - 24°N, 20°W - 17°E
Eastern Atlantic: southwest of Ireland, western Mediterranean and off Western Sahara. Northwest Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 18.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4458)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 42 - 45. Branchiostegal rays 4. Predorsal length longer than 50% SL. Proximal part of adipose fin unpigmented. Entire body covered with guanine (Ref. 5123).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Spawns during winter in the Mediterranean.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Cohen, D.M., 1990. Argentinidae. p. 235-238. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon; SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 1. (Ref. 4458)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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