Author: Norman, 1930

Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930

Diagnosis: body laterally compressed, deep, profile with fleshy elevation between third and fourth dorsal spines and raised markedly posterior to blade (fishes over 20 mm SL); snout profile angular; eye tubular, directed dorsally; mouth vertical; gillrakers on first arch 18-22; branchiostegal rays 10, 3 on epihyal. Dorsal finrays 9 followed by a dorsal adipose fin; dorsal blade high, in adults its height more than one-third its length; pectoral finrays 10 (11); pelvic finrays 6; anal finrays 13. Post-orbital spine prominent in adults; upper preopercular spine short, not extending posterior to opercle, leading laterally and hooked anteriorly (adults) or straight and directed latero-posteriorly (juveniles under about 45 mm SL); lower spine long, curved anteriorly (adults) or straight (under 45 mm SL). Posterior edge of exposed part of anterior cleithral notch smooth, or with 2-3 weak serrations in smaller fishes; post-abdominal spines short, equal; ventral keel deep, extending well below PV photophores in adults, less so in juveniles. Vertebrae (36) 37-38 (39). Swimbladder well developed, gas-filled, euphysoclistous. Scales deciduous. Photophores. configuration of compound light organs changes in some groups after adult complement is acquired: initial configuration: BR (6); IP (6); PV (4) + (2) + (2) + (4); VAV (2) + (2); AC1 (1) + (3) + (2) AC2 (1) + (3). Colour: back dark, flanks silvery. Size: to 120 mm SL.

Habitat: oceanic, mesopelagic at 300 650 m; non-migrant. Food: no data. Reproduction: dioecious; adult complement of photophores acquired at about 14 mm SL.

Distribution: common in eastern North Atlantic south of 40° N, east of 30° W; northern record, South Iceland; absent in Mediterranean.

Eggs, larvae and young stages. No data.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Superclass Gnathostomata
Class Osteichthyes
Order Clupeiformes
Suborder Stomiatoidei
Family Sternoptychidae
Genus Argyropelecus
Species Argyropelecus gigas

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930

Scientific synonyms and common names

Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930

Synonyms:

Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930, Discovery Repts., 2: 302, fig. 10 (Gulf of Guinea). Holotype: BMNH no. 1930.1.12.329.
Argyropelecus gigas: Jespersen, 1934: fiche 83 Parr, 1937: 49 Maul, 1949: 17, fig. 6 Koefoed, 1960: 3 Schultz, 1961: 600, fig. 5 Baird, 1971: 38-42, fig. 24


Common names:

none

Jespersen, P. 1933-1934. Gonostomatidae and Sternoptychidae. In: L. Joubin, ed., Faune ichthyol. Atlant. N., Copenhagen: fiches 70-89.

Koefoed, E. 1960. Isospondyli, 2. Heterophotodermi. 2. Rep. scient. Results Michael Sars N. Atlant. deep Sea Exped., 1910, 4, II (8): 15 p., 9 fig., 1 pl.

Maul, G. E. 1949. Lista sistematica dos Peixes assinalados nos mares da Madeira, Funchal: 135-181.

Norman, J. R. 1930. Oceanic fishes and flatfishes collected in 1925-27. 'Discovery' Rep., 2: 261-370, 47 fig., 2 pl.

Parr, A. E. 1937. Concluding report on fishes with species index for articles 1-7. (Fishes of the third oceanographic expedition of the 'Pawnee'.) Bull. Bingham oceanogr. Coll, 3 (7): 79 p., fig. 1-22.

Schultz, L. P. 1961. Revision of the marine silver hatchetfishes (Family Sternoptychidae). Proc. U.S. natn. Mus., 112: 587-649.

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