description Pacific Hatchetfish Overview
The Pacific hatchetfish, Argyropelecus affinis, is a small deep-sea fish in the family Sternoptychidae, distributed through tropical and subtropical parts of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. Its laterally compressed, silvery body has a deep chest that produces the characteristic hatchet-like outline. Rows of light-producing photophores help conceal its silhouette, while daily vertical migration brings it toward shallower water to feed at night.
help Pacific Hatchetfish FAQ
What is the scientific name of the Pacific hatchetfish?
The Pacific hatchetfish is Argyropelecus affinis. It belongs to the family Sternoptychidae, a group of small deep-sea fishes.
Where does the Pacific hatchetfish live?
Argyropelecus affinis occurs in tropical and subtropical parts of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. It is a deep-sea fish rather than a shallow coastal species.
What does a Pacific hatchetfish look like?
It has a laterally compressed, silvery body with a deep chest that gives it a hatchet-like profile. The unusual body shape is one reason the group is called hatchetfish.
How does the Pacific hatchetfish produce light?
Pacific hatchetfish have light-producing organs called photophores. These organs are associated with bioluminescence, an adaptation common among many deep-sea animals.
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