Fish

Lanternfish

Family Myctophidae

PacificAtlanticIndianSouthernArctic Found in all 5 oceans

All oceans, from the tropics to the polar waters of the Arctic and Antarctic

Depth

300 to 1,500 m by day, near the surface at night

Size

2 to 30 cm

Diet

Zooplankton

Zone

Twilight zone · 200 – 1,000 m

Key facts

• It is one of the most numerous vertebrates on the planet.
• Its photophores, light-producing organs, form a pattern unique to each species.
• Every night, it rises toward the surface to feed. It thus takes part in the largest daily migration on Earth.

Verified sources

1. WHOI - Lanternfishes
2. WoRMS, Myctophidae

In the game: Prey: +2 points

In the same zone

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