Malacosteus niger Ayres, 1848
Stoplight loosejaw
Malacosteus niger
photo by Bañón Díaz, R.

 Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Malacosteinae
 Max. size:  25.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  bathypelagic; depth range 500 - 3886 m
 Distribution:  Worldwide in all oceans from Arctic latitudes at 66°N to approx. 30°S in the southern hemisphere; unknown in the Mediterranean.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-24; Vertebrae: 47-51. This species possess the following characters: in male, postorbital photophore (PO) 5.8-11.9% upper jaw length (UJL), 1.5-3.1% SL; female PO 2.8-8.1% UJL, 0.8-11.9% SL; IP photophores 3-5 in 3-5 clusters (Ref. 78501).
 Biology:  Meso- and bathypelagic (Ref. 58302). It has been suggested that this species does not undergo substantial diel vertical migration and remains below 500 m (Ref. 78501). Feeds on crustaceans and fishes (Ref. 58426).
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Sa-a, Pascualita - 13.05.94
 Modified by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 05.04.10
 Checked by: Agustin, Liza Q. - 20.07.94

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