Diaphus mollis Tåning, 1928
Soft lanternfish
photo by Fischer, L.G.

Family:  Myctophidae (Lanternfishes), subfamily: Diaphinae
Max. size:  6.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 50 - 600 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Morocco to Namibia. Western Atlantic: Canada to Argentina. Indian Ocean: 0°-34°S west of 70°E and 80°E, at 38°S, 100°E. Western Pacific: south of 20°S, west of 170°W and in Tasman Sea; centrally between 30°N and 7°S. Eastern Pacific: between 25°N and 15°S (Ref. 4775). South China Sea (Ref.74511).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-14
Biology:  Mesopelagic (Ref. 58302). Oceanic (Ref. 4066), found between 300-600 m during the day and between 50-300 m at night, exhibiting size stratification with depth (Ref. 4479). Reach sexual maturity at a length of 3 cm (Ref. 47377).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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