Spothead lantern fish explained

The spothead lantern fish (Diaphus metopoclampus), also called the bluntnose lanternfish,^[1] is a species of fish in the family Myctophidae (lanternfish).^{[2] [3]}

Its specific name is from Ancient Greek μέτωπον (metōpon, "forehead") and λαμπάς (lampas, "lantern").^[4]

Description

The spothead lantern fish is black and pink in colour, with a maximum length of .^{[5] [6]} It has a deep and short head and prominent photophores in its head.^[7]

Habitat

Diaphus metopoclampus is bathypelagic and non-migratory, living at depths of in non-polar seas worldwide, typically on the continental slope.^{[8] [5]}

Behaviour

The spothead lantern fish attains sexual maturity at in length; it spawns in the spring and summer.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Diaphus metopoclampus. fishesofaustralia.net.au.
2. Book: Fishes of the Eastern Mediterranean. Dani. Golani. Bayram. Öztürk. Nuri. Başusta. July 15, 2006. Turkish Marine Research Foundation. 9789758825127 . Google Books.
3. Book: Otoliths of Common Australian Temperate Fish: A Photographic Guide. Dianne. Furlani. Rosemary. Gales. David. Pemberton. July 15, 2007. Csiro Publishing. 9780643092556 . Google Books.
4. Web site: Order MYCTOPHIFORMES (Lanternfishes). December 7, 2018.
5. Book: Smiths' Sea Fishes. Margaret M.. Smith. Phillip C.. Heemstra. December 6, 2012. Springer Science & Business Media. 9783642828584 . Google Books.
6. Web site: WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Diaphus metopoclampus (Cocco, 1829). www.marinespecies.org.
7. Web site: Taxonomy and Distribution of the Lantern-fishes, Genera Lobianchia and Diaphus, in the North Atlantic. Basil G.. Nafpaktitis. July 15, 1968. Høst. Google Books.
8. Web site: Diaphus metopoclampus, Spothead lantern fish. www.fishbase.se.
9. Web site: Diaphus metopoclampus. fishesofaustralia.net.au.