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 .
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.
Behavioural data for Bigfin lanternfish is currently being reviewed.
Diet information for Bigfin lanternfish is currently being compiled.
Oviparous .
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.
small crustaceans (Ref
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Bigfin lanternfish |
| 🇫🇷French | lanterne à grandes nageoires |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Nagahadaka · ナガハダカ |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Калифорнийский симболофор |
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myctophum californiense | Eigenmann & Eigenmann | 1889 | Synonym |
| Symbolophorus californiense | Eigenmann & Eigenmann | 1889 | Synonym |
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 25 records indexed .
No observations yet — be the first to log one!
View all observations for Bigfin lanternfish ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.