| Family: |
Gonostomatidae (Bristlemouths) |
| Max. size: |
4.6 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 1 years |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 10 - 2000 m |
| Distribution: |
Atlantic, Indian and South Pacific: in tropical and subtropical waters, including the Mediterranean. Also known from the temperate North Atlantic as far as 66°N and in the sub-Antarctic water south of Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-20 |
| Biology: |
Oceanic, precise depth range dependent upon developmental stage, latitude, season (Ref. 4769). Generally horizontally oriented (Ref. 4769). Feeds on small zooplankton, mostly copepods (Ref. 5162). Sexually dimorphic with large females and small males (Ref. 9503). Sex ratio vary with size groups but is about 1:1 around spawning. Length-frequency histograms are bimodal; has a two-year life cycle (Ref. 82363). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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