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Lanternfish
Family Myctophidae
Lanternfish get their name from the rows of glowing lights, called photophores, that run long the lengths of their bodies. They are used for counter-illumination and signalling in the dark of the deep sea.
Subspecies
There are more than 250 species.
Statistics
Although the largest species is 35cm (13 inches) long, the vast majority are less than 15cm (6 inches), with some reaching no more than 3cm.
Physical Description
Lanternfish have tiny lights, or photophores, along their bellies, and sometimes on the tail or around the eyes. By a chemical reaction, these lights produce bioluminescence. The fish can vary the amount of light, making it dimmer or brighter to match the surroundings. The photophores on the belly, are partly used to provide counter-illumination and break up the shadow of the fish in the dim blue deep-sea light. Other photophores may be used in communication: male lanternfish sometimes have large photophores like headlights, that may be used in attracting mates.
Distribution
These fish are found in all oceans, worldwide.
Habitat
Lanternfish live primarily in the twilight, or mesopelagic zone (from 200-1000m). At night, they migrate to shallower waters.
Diet
They mainly feed on invertebrates such as copepods and krill.
Behaviour
At night, most species undertake a vertical migration from their daytime depths of 400-1000m up to the food-rich waters in the upper 200m.
Reproduction
Each species of lanternfish has a distinct pattern of special light-producing organs (photophores) on its body. When a lanternfish goes looking for a mate, it seeks out other fish with the same pattern of lights.
Conservation status
They are not on the IUCN Red List.
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