Diaphanous hatchetfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Diaphanous hatchetfish |
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| Diaphanous hatchetfish | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Stomiiformes |
| Family: | Sternoptychidae |
| Genus: | Sternoptyx |
| Species: |
S. diaphana
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| Binomial name | |
| Sternoptyx diaphana Hermann, 1781
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The diaphanous hatchetfish (scientific name: Sternoptyx diaphana) is a fascinating deep-sea fish. It belongs to a group called ray-finned fish, known for their special fins. This fish is part of the Sternoptychidae family, which includes other hatchetfish. A French scientist named Johann Hermann first described it in 1781.
What Does It Look Like?
The diaphanous hatchetfish is a small fish. It has a short, deep body that is flattened from side to side. It can grow up to about 45 millimeters (1.8 inches) long. Its mouth points almost straight up, and it has a short snout with large eyes.
Its body rises sharply from its head. Then it flattens out towards its tail. Just in front of its top fin, there is a clear, pear-shaped plate. This plate has small teeth and is held up by a single spine. The top fin has 9 to 12 soft rays. The fin on its underside has 13 to 14 rays.
This fish has clear skin folds near its short tail. It also has another clear fold under its belly. It has special light-producing organs called photophores. These are found behind and below its eyes, on its gill cover, and in rows along its underside. The top of the fish is dark. Its sides are shiny silver, and its fins are clear.
Where Does It Live?
The diaphanous hatchetfish lives in many parts of the world. You can find it in the temperate and tropical waters of all the world's oceans. It is less common near the equator.
This fish lives deep in the ocean. It can be found between 300 and 1,500 meters (about 980 to 4,900 feet) deep. However, it is most often seen between 600 and 900 meters (about 2,000 to 3,000 feet). The water temperature in these depths is usually between 4 and 11 degrees Celsius (39 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit). Unlike some other deep-sea fish, it does not seem to swim up to shallower waters at night.
What Does It Eat?
The diaphanous hatchetfish eats small ocean creatures. Its diet includes tiny fish, krill, shrimp, copepods, and amphipods. Larger hatchetfish tend to eat bigger food items. What they eat can also depend on where they live. These fish are "opportunistic predators." This means they will eat whatever prey they find in their environment.
Is It Endangered?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) checks on how many animals are left in the wild. They have looked at the diaphanous hatchetfish. They found that it lives in many places and is a common species. It does not face any major threats. Because of this, its conservation status is listed as "least concern." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
 | Mary Eliza Mahoney |
 | Susie King Taylor |
 | Ida Gray |
 | Eliza Ann Grier |
