Silver Lightfish, Phosichthys argenteus (Hutton, 1872)

Scientific name: Phosichthys argenteus
Alternative name/s:
Silver Lighthouse Fish, Lighthouse Fish
Silver Lightfish, <i>Phosichthys argenteus</i> Click to enlarge image
A 15 cm long Silver Lightfish trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth of about 1530m, north-east of Lord Howe Island, 20 May 2003 (AMS I.42720-015). Image: Robin McPhee
© NORFANZ Founding Parties

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Phosichthys
    Species
    argenteus
    Family
    Phosichthyidae
    Order
    Stomiiforomes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 30 cm in length.

Introduction

The Silver Lightfish possess rows of light organs run along the ventral surface of the body. There are two light organs near the eye, one in front and one behind.

Identification

The Silver Lightfish is an elongate, compressed fish. Its dorsal fin is positioned well in front of the anal fin. Rows of light organs run along the ventral surface of the body. There are two light organs near the eye, one in front and one behind. The mouth has large canines. The species is dark brown above, lighter brown to pink on the sides and black below. Parts of the head are silvery.

Silver Lightfish, Phosichthys argenteus (Hutton, 1872)

Head of a 15 cm long Silver Lightfish trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth of about 1530 m, north-east of Lord Howe Island, 20 May 2003 (AMS I.42720-015).

Image: Robin McPhee
© NORFANZ Founding Parties

Habitat

The Silver Lightfish is a benthic species that occurs at continental slope depths.

Distribution

The species occurs in temperate marine waters of the southern hemisphere, except off South America. In Australia it has been trawled from off New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Harold, A. S. 1999. Phosichthyidae. 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.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Paxton, J.R. 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.