The Digital Fish Library

Distribution:
Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific.

Habitat:
They are mostly abundant between 914 m – 1829 m, and they swim in the open water.

Remarks:
With 10 genera and about 67 species, the deep sea hatchetfishes belong to two subfamilies: Maurolicinae and Sternoptychinae. The Maurolicinae have elongated body, 19-38 anal fins, a circular light-producing organ on the surface of a fish on the sides of the lower jaw. In contrast, the Sternoptychinae have a deep and laterally compressed body, thin tail, and telescopic eyes. They have a blade in front of dorsal fin, with anal fin sometimes divided.

The family Sternoptychidae contains 10 genera and approximately 67 species.

References:
Nelson 2006; Wheeler 1975