Spinycheek lanternfish (Benthosema fibulatum)

Scientific name: Benthosema fibulatum Gilbert & Cramer, 1897

Spinycheek lanternfish (Benthosema fibulatum)

The Spinycheek lanternfish (Benthosema fibulatum) is a marine fish of the family Myctophidae. Native range: Indian Ocean, 18?N-20?S, to 42?S in the Agulhas Current. Pacific Ocean: 21?N-10?S.

Biology

Benthopelagic and mesopelagic in slope and oceanic waters, but usually not high-oceanic. Occurs in the upper 200 m at night. Epipelagic in nearshore areas at 0-856 m. 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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Benthosema fibulatum
Family
Myctophidae (Lanternfishes)
Order
Myctophiformes (Lanternfishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
10.0
Depth range
0–2000 m (0–6562 ft)
Environment
Marine; bathypelagic; oceanodromous; depth range 0 - 2000 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Indian Ocean: 18?N-20?S, to 42?S in the Agulhas Current. Pacific Ocean: 21?N-10?S.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of potential interest
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=5.62; tmax=1)

Sources

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

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