Site navigation

ANIMAL SPECIES:Stoplight Loosejaw, Malacosteus niger Ayres, 1848

Add comment Add tags

The Stoplight Loosejaw is an elongate, compressed fish. Its jaws are much longer than the skull. There is a comma-shaped photophore under the eye and a circular photophore behind the eye. In life, these photophores are red and green respectively. The head and body are black.

Identification

The Stoplight Loosejaw is an elongate, compressed fish. Its jaws are much longer than the skull. There is a comma-shaped photophore under the eye and a circular photophore behind the eye. In life, these photophores are red and green respectively. The head and body are black.

Size range

The species grows to 24 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs in the Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific.

In Australia it is known from off New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia

Habitat

It occurs in bathypelagic and mesopelagic depths.

Classification

Species:
niger
Genus:
Malacosteus
Family:
Malacosteidae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  • Gomon, M.F. & E.M. Robertson in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  • Harold, A.S. 1999. Malacosteidae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 3. Batoid fishes, chimaeras and bony fishes part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-vi, 1398-2068.
  • Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen & J.E. Hanley. 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 7 Pisces Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Survey. Pp. i-xii, 1-665.


Last Updated: 14 May 2009

Would you like to add a comment?

Sign up to add comments and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.

Forgotten your password?

Would you like to add a tag?

Sign up to add tags and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.

Forgotten your password?

what's on

Borneo Baby
Wildlife Photographer of the Year

24 Dec 09 26 Apr 10

Experience the power, mystique and beauty of wildlife captured through the lens of photographers from around the world. (nb Australian Museum is closed 25 December)

Level G, Special Exhibition Space

What's on calendar

Support us

Help us continue to provide quality research, education, community programs and exhibitions.

Donate now

Online Shop

Featuring a selection of products relating to the collections.

Australian Museum Members

Join today to come to the Museum for free and enjoy many other benefits.

AMBS

Australian Museum Business Services - Ecological, archaeological and heritage consulting.

Museum as a Venue

We have many unique venues ideal for dinner, cocktails, weddings and conferences.