Idiacanthus atlanticus

Idiacanthus atlanticus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Stomiiformes
Family: Stomiidae
Genus: Idiacanthus
Species: I. atlanticus
Binomial name
Idiacanthus atlanticus
A. B. Brauer, 1906

Idiacanthus atlanticus (black dragonfish) is a barbeled dragonfish of the family Stomiidae, found circumglobally in southern subtropical and temperate oceans between latitudes 25°S and 60°S, at depths down to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). Length is up to 40 centimetres (16 in) for the female, but only 5 centimetres (2.0 in) for the male.

Black dragonfish are bioluminescent. Unlike most bioluminescent predators, which use their light primarily to attract prey, the black dragonfish can see its own light. As a result, the fish can also use its light in order to hunt. The light produced by the dragonfish is often such a long wavelength that it is nearly in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Consequently, the light is barely visible to the unaided human eye.[1]

In the larva stage, the eyes of the larvae appear as long stalks that dangle out of the body. Eventually, they retreat as the fish ages and reaches maturity.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Creighton, Jolene. "Aliens of the Deep: The Black Dragonfish". fromquarkstoquasars.com. From Quarks to Quasars. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Creighton, Jolene. "Aliens of the Deep: The Black Dragonfish". fromquarkstoquasars.com. From Quarks to Quasars. Retrieved 19 February 2015.