Blueband dragonfish
📖 Overview
Blueband dragonfish (Photonectes mirabilis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Stomiidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 16.4 cm. With a trophic level of 3.9, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 17; Anal soft rays: 18 - 20. This species is distinguished by the following characters: elongated body tapering toward caudal fin; snout 1.25 times shorter than eye; morphometric values (IOM specimen only), in % of SL: head length 15.7; snout length 2.4; eye diameter 3.0; least interorbital width 4.0; barbel length 10.8; upper jaw length 13.3; postorbital organ length 3.0; ditto, greatest depth 0.9, entire black surrounding area 4.2; predorsal, preanal and prepelvic distances 78.3, 78.3 and 66.3, respectively; dorsal- and anal-fin base length 12.7 and 13.9, respectively; pelvic-fin length 12.1; greatest body depth 12.1; least depth of caudal peduncle 2.4; the opercle almost straight dorsally, with posteroventral corner somewhat extended, rounded; gill filaments extending slightly beyond gill cover; gill filaments shortened in upper half of ceratobranchial of first arch (twice shorter than lowermost filaments of ceratobranchial-1). Color of skin turns to rusty brown after more than 40 years of storage .Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blueband dragonfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-oceanic. Subtropical; 37°N - 35°S west of 35°W, one record at 2°N, and from Brazil to Argentina.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blueband Dragonfish · deepsea loosejaw |
| 🌍CES | svítivník podivný |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photonectes cornutus | Beebe | 1933 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 13 records indexed .
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