Sternoptyx pseudodiaphana Borodulina, 1977
False oblique hatchetfish
Sternoptyx pseudodiaphana
photo by Colombo, G.L.A.

Family:  Sternoptychidae (Marine hatchetfishes), subfamily: Sternoptychinae
Max. size:  6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 1500 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal in subtropical and temperate waters of the southern hemisphere. Another (possibly disjunct) population found in the tropical northeast Atlantic. A few specimens from the sub-Antarctic waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-13. Adults with pigment streaks on ventral caudal rays (Ref. 4054).
Biology:  Mesopelagic species (Ref. 75154). Life history stages apparently stratified vertically, depth of occurrence increasing with age. No marked vertical migration (Ref. 5168). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 February 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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