Dasyscopelus asper

Dasyscopelus asper, previously Myctophum asperum, common name the prickly lanternfish, is a species of deep sea fish in the family Myctophidae, the "lanternfish".

Description

This species has large eyes and grows to a maximum total length of approximately .

Distribution

Dasyscopelus asper is found in the following regions:

• Western Atlantic Ocean from 20° north to Brazil, and also occurs in the Gulf of Mexico.
• Eastern Atlantic Ocean, occurring from Mauritania to South Africa in the Agulhas water pockets.
• Northwest Atlantic near Canada.
• Indo-Pacific in the following currents:

*North and south equatorial currents

*Equatorial countercurrents

*East Australian and Agulhas currents

• Eastern Central Pacific.
• South China Sea and East China Sea

Larvae have also been found in the Taiwan Strait.

Habitat

This species is found at depths of between 425 and 750 metres during the day. At night it can ascend to depths of 125 metres to feed on plankton.

References