Marine Wildlife Encyclopedia
Lovely Hatchetfish Argyropelecus aculeatus
An expert at hiding from predators, the hatchetfish’s silvery coloration and use of bioluminescence conceals it against the downwelling light. They are also so thin that they are difficult to see head-on. This fish lives at medium depths and has large bulging eyes to make best use of what little light there is. At dusk, it rises up to 330–1,000 ft (100–300 m) to feed on small planktonic animals.
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- Order Stomiiformes
- Length Up to 3 in (8 cm)
- Weight Not recorded
- Depth 330–2,000 ft (100–600 m)
- Distribution Tropical and temperate waters worldwide
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