Benthosema fibulatum (Gilbert & Cramer, 1897)
Spinycheek lanternfish
Benthosema fibulatum
photo by SFSA

Family:  Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Myctophinae
Max. size:  10 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 2000 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: 18°N-20°S, to 42°S in the Agulhas Current. Pacific Ocean: 21°N-10°S.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-20; Vertebrae: 31-32. Anal organs 10-11; mature males have large 3 to 5 translucent supracaudal gland and smaller infracaudal gland; mature females have small supracaudal gland and much smaller infracaudal patches (Ref. 39633).
Biology:  Benthopelagic and mesopelagic in slope and oceanic waters, but usually not high-oceanic. Occurs in the upper 200 m at night (Ref. 4066). Epipelagic in nearshore areas at 0-856 m (Ref. 58302). Occasionally seen during dark nights on slopes that are near very deep water. Attracted by light like moths, becoming disoriented and darting frantically in all directions (Ref. 48635).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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