Fish

Hatchetfish

Argyropelecus sp.

PacificAtlanticIndianSouthernArctic Found in 3 oceans

Tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans

Depth

200 to 1,000 m

Size

3 to 12 cm

Diet

Small crustaceans, zooplankton

Zone

Twilight zone · 200 – 1,000 m

Key facts

• Its silvery, very flattened body is shaped like the blade of a hatchet.
• The photophores on its belly mimic the light coming from above: seen from below, it disappears. This is called counter-illumination.
• Its tubular eyes look upward to spot the shadows of its prey.

Verified sources

1. WHOI Ocean Twilight Zone - Hatchetfish
2. WoRMS, Argyropelecus

In the game: Prey: +2 points

In the same zone

Jewel squidHistioteuthis sp. PyrosomePyrosoma atlanticum Deep-sea red shrimpAcanthephyra purpurea Velvet belly lanternsharkEtmopterus spinax ViperfishChauliodus sloani Goblin sharkMitsukurina owstoni