Astronesthes lucifer Gilbert, 1905
Pacific astronesthid fish
Astronesthes lucifer
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Astronesthinae
Max. size:  12 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 25 - 704 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Japan, off the Hawaiian Islands, and the Timor Sea. Reported from Taiwan (Ref. 5193), Australia (Ref. 7300), and Yemen (Ref. 28061).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 17-20. AC discontinuous, 2 or 3 photopores ranging from 5th to 8th displaced upward. Barbel distinctly longer than head, its stem speckled with melanophores. A prominent black band extending from ventral to lateral side of caudal peduncle. Attains 12 cm SL.
Biology:  Found on continental slopes and sea mountains (Ref. 41299). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 July 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Collected during the Hearst Expedition 2011 done off Batangas and Mindoro, off SW Luzon (Ref. 95664).


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