Body fusiform; mouth moderate, oblique; pseudobranch present; gill rakers on first arch 22–31 (geographical variation). Branchiostegal rays 10, 3 on epihyal. Dorsal-fin rays 11 (9–12); pectoral-fin rays 17–19; pelvic fin-rays 7; anal finrays 22–28; dorsal origin in advance of anal-fin origin; anus near anal fin origin; dorsal adipose fin present. Vertebrae 33–35. Swimbladder well developed, gas–filled, euphysoclistous. Scales deciduous.
Photophores (adult): ORB l; OP 3, OP3 single; BR (6); IP (6); VAV (6); AC in 3 groups as 2 long groups preceded by a single, elevated photophore: 1 + (14–17) + (89) = 23–27; PV (12–13); OA (2) + 5; SO present.
Body silver with dark back bearing light brown dorso–lateral undulating strip and a pigment extension ventrally at procurrent rays; anterior two dorsal-fin rays, dorsalmost pectoral-fin ray and outer 2 or 3 caudal-fin rays pigmented; snout and bones of jaw transparent with characteristic pigment spots.
Vertebrae 33–34, usually 33. Gill rakers 27–32, usually 28–29. AC photophores 22–25, usually 23–24. Pectoral-fin rays 17–18. Head 29–31 % SL, eye 10–11.5% SL, upper jaw 16–18% SL, maximum body depth at pectoral fin base 22–25% SL. Stomach and hind portion of intestine intensively pigmented.
Western South Pacific off New Zealand and southern Australia.
Mesopelagic to benthopelagic, upper continental slopes.
Parin N, Kobyliansky S. 1996. Diagnoses and distribution of fifteen species recognized in genus Maurolicus Cocco (Sternoptychidae, Stomiiformes) with a key to their identification. Cybium 20(2):185–195.
To at least 50 mm SL.
What little data exists for species of the genus suggest that copepods and euphausiids are the predominant prey item.
