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lantern fish
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lantern fish

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Also known as: Myctophidae, lanternfish
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lantern fish, any of the numerous species of small, abundant, deep-sea fish of the family Myctophidae. Some lantern fish live in the depths to 300 metres (about 1,000 feet) by day, but at night they may approach the surface. Others live deeper and do not approach the surface. They are somewhat elongated fish with large mouths and eyes and numerous light organs on the head, underside, and tail base. The arrangement of these lights may aid species or sex recognition. The pattern also provides an important means of identifying the 240 or more species. Fully grown lantern fish range from about 2.5 to 15 cm (1 to 6 inches) long.

This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.