Photonectes Paxtoni
📖 Overview
Photonectes Paxtoni (Photonectes paxtoni), first described by Flynn & Klepadlo, 2012 is a tiny fish in the family Stomiidae (order Stomiiformes). Adults typically reach 2.30 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 130 to 135 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Data Deficient.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 18; Anal soft rays: 18. This species is distinguished from other members of the subgenus Photonectes in the following set of characters: short barbel with a very enlarged ovoid terminal bulb without terminal appendages; no blue luminous tissue; reduced length of gill filaments on first branchial arch, less than arch depth; VAV photophores 15-16 (vs. 0-15), AC photophores 13 (vs. 9-12), IV photophores 29 (vs. 30-46); bulb is plain (without filaments) and remarkably large. This species is similar to P. ovibarba (synonym of P. braueri) in having an enlarged bulb but is without pectoral fins (vs. present, with 2 rays each), IV photophores 29 (vs. 32-33), AC photophores 13 (vs. 10-12), the bulb has no terminal appendage (vs. bearing a small ovoid appendage); from another species with a large bulb, P. fimbria (synonym of P. parvimanus), IV photophores 29 (vs. 43-49), IP photophores insert halfway along the isthmus, or with gap (vs. insert near mandibular symphysis or no gap), no thick skin (vs. thick skin over dorsal- and anal-fin rays), no flap or terminal appendage; growth change unknown (vs. bulb with terminal flap increasing with growth) .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Photonectes Paxtoni is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 130 - 135 m . Tropical Pacific Ocean; Papua New Guinea.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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