Lanternfishes [Myctophidae]

Description

Myctophidae, commonly known as lanternfishes, comprise the only family within the order Myctophiformes. These fishes are named for their distinctive feature of bioluminescent light organs (photophores) found along their bodies, which they use for counter-illumination camouflage, attracting prey, and communication. Lanternfishes are small, often not exceeding a few inches in length, and inhabit mesopelagic to bathypelagic zones of the ocean, typically between 200 to 1000 meters deep, though some species are found deeper. They are among the most abundant of the deep-sea fish, playing a crucial role in the marine food web as a significant food source for larger predators. Lanternfishes are characterized by their slender bodies, large eyes adapted to the low light conditions of their environment, and the variable patterns of photophores that distinguish the many species within the family. They undertake daily vertical migrations, rising toward the surface at night to feed on plankton and descending to the depths during the day to avoid predators.

Genera

Taxonomy