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 30–32, usually 31. Gill rakers 23–25. AC photophores 22¬∑26, usually 23–24. Pectoral-fin rays 17–18. Head 31–34% SL, eye 10.5–12% SL, upper jaw 17¬∑19% SL, maximum body depth at pectoral fin base 24–26. Stomach and hind portion of intestine not pigmented.
Red Sea.
Mesopelagic to benthopelagic, upper continental slopes. A diel vertical migrator.
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 34 mm SL.
What little data exists for species of the genus suggest that copepods and euphausiids are the predominant prey item.
Maurolicus mucronatus is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Maurolicus. It is found in the Western Indian Ocean.[1]
Maurolicus mucronatus is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Maurolicus. It is found in the Western Indian Ocean.
