Dusky lanternfish (Nannobrachium atrum)

Scientific name: Nannobrachium atrum T?ning, 1928

The Dusky lanternfish (Nannobrachium atrum) is a marine fish of the family Myctophidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 17 - 21; Vertebrae: 36 - 39. 7.5-10 tooth patches on the lower limb of the second gill arch; 12-15 AO photophores; 36-39 lateral line organs. Pectoral fins with extremely weak and flexible rays.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Nannobrachium atrum
Family: Myctophidae (Lanternfishes)
Order: Myctophiformes (Lanternfishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 14.0
Depth range: 60–1100 m (197–3609 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathypelagic; oceanodromous; depth range 60 - 1100 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Most widely distributed species of Nannobrachium. Atlantic Ocean: bipolar, generally between 17?N-58?N and 15?S-40?S. Indian Ocean: 12?S-44?S. Southwest Pacific: between Australia and New Zealand, and in the Tasman Sea. Southern Ocean: 45?10'S, 69?12'E.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026