Bigfin Lanternfish

Adipose fin short based and slender; pectorals long, reaching beyond pelvic insertion but not reaching anus (Ref. 6885). Black dorsally, silvery on sides; dusky on bases of fins; light from photophores pale green (Ref. 6885). Branchiostegal rays: 9-10 (Ref. 31442).

Oviparous (Ref. 31442).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 15; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 19 - 21; Vertebrae: 37 - 40

Epipelagic to mesopelagic, at surface at night (Ref. 31442). Adults feed on small crustaceans (Ref. 11712). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 31442). Lipid content is 4.3 % in fresh body weight, while wax ester is present in trace amounts (Ref. 9197). Preyed upon by fishes, cephalopods, birds and marine mammals. Easily attracted to a light suspended above the water at night and many are captured in dipnets (Ref. 4525).

Symbolophorus californiensis is a species of fish in the family Myctophidae.