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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Subtropical

Bigfin lanternfish

Symbolophorus californiensis Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889
Max Length
11 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
3.1
Depth
557–1497 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Epipelagic to mesopelagic, at surface at night . Adults feed on small crustaceans . Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae . Lipid content is 4.3 % in fresh body weight, while wax ester is present in trace amounts . Preyed upon by fishes, cephalopods, birds and marine mammals. Easily attracted to a light suspended above the water at night and many are captured in dipnets .

Scientific Name
Symbolophorus californiensis
Authority
Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
11 cm
Depth Range
557–1497 m
Trophic Level
3.1
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 15; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 19 - 21; Vertebrae: 37 - 40. Adipose fin short based and slender; pectorals long, reaching beyond pelvic insertion but not reaching anus . Black dorsally, silvery on sides; dusky on bases of fins; light from photophores pale green . Branchiostegal rays: 9-10 .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Bigfin lanternfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Bigfin lanternfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous

Oviparous .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 557 - 1497 m . Subtropical; 55°N - 18°N, 131°E - 112°W North Pacific: Japan, and from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🐟 Pelagic
Trophic Level
3.1±0.27
Food Items

small crustaceans (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00692 × L3.13 (TL)
Max TL
11cm
Dorsal Rays
14
Anal Rays
20
Vertebrae
39

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
28.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.1
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Bigfin lanternfish
🇫🇷French lanterne à grandes nageoires
🇯🇵Japanese Nagahadaka · ナガハダカ
🇷🇺Russian Калифорнийский симболофор

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Myctophum californiense Eigenmann & Eigenmann 1889 Synonym
Symbolophorus californiense Eigenmann & Eigenmann 1889 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 25 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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