Bathylagus antarcticus

Taxobox | name = "Bathylagus antarcticus"


image_caption = Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Osmeriformes
familia = Bathylagidae
genus = "Bathylagus"
species = "B. antarcticus"
binomial = "Bathylagus antarcticus"
binomial_authority = Günther, 1878

"Bathylagus antarcticus" is a deep-sea smelt of the genus "Bathylagus", found in all the southern oceans as far south as Antarctica, from the surface to depths of 4,000 m. Their length is between 10 and 15 cm.

"Bathylagus antarcticus" is a small deepwater fish with a long tapering body, large head and very large eyes. The second dorsal fin is adipose. It only has a few feeble teeth and probably has a diet of small planktonic animals.

It is a uniform dark brown-black and the muscles are soft and flabby.

Spawning probably occurs 3-4 times a year.

References

*
* Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, "Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand", (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8