Bigscale Deepsea Smelt

More than two eyes; anal fin base longer than caudal peduncle; swim bladder absent; branchiostegal rays, two on each side; pectoral fins originating close to ventral surface of the body. Head and body black when fresh; scale pocket markings jet black (Ref. 13608). Branchiostegal rays: 2 (Ref. 35604). Also Ref. 41299.

Oviparous (Ref. 35604).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 12; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 18 - 23; Vertebrae: 48 - 54

Caught singly, but also in small aggregations. No commercial importance but variable importance as forage.

Mesopelagic, perhaps with diel migration (Ref. 58302). Usually caught singly, but also in small aggregations (Ref. 6345). Feed on plankton (Ref. 6345). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 35604). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.

fisheries: of no interest