Sternoptyx diaphana Hermann, 1781
Diaphanous hatchet fish
Sternoptyx diaphana
photo by Orlov, A.

 Family:  Sternoptychidae (Marine hatchetfishes), subfamily: Sternoptychinae
 Max. size:  5.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  bathypelagic; depth range 400 - 3676 m, oceanodromous
 Distribution:  Atlantic, Indian and Pacific: mainly tropical regions (Ref. 47377). Eastern Atlantic: scattered records southwest of Ireland, also from Spain south to Angola. South China Sea and East China Sea (Ref.74511).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-16. Triangular transparent membrane present above anal fin base (Ref. 13608).
 Biology:  Oceanic and non-vertical migrant (Ref. 4739). Mesopelagic at 275-1200 m (Ref. 58302). Commonly found in 500-800 m both day and night (Ref. 4054). Possibly a cyclic feeder of copepods, ostracods, euphausiids, amphipods, fishes and other taxa (Ref. 4739). Adult photophore complement acquired at 11-13 mm SL (Ref. 4739). Lipid content 1.4 % in fresh body weight and wax ester is 4.2 % in total lipids (Ref. 9193).
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Torres, Armi G. - 16.02.93
 Modified by: OrtaƱez, Auda Kareen - 14.06.07
 Checked by: Garilao, Cristina V. - 04.12.96

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