Stareater (fish)
Snaggletooths or stareaters are any of a number of small, deep-sea stomiid fish in the genus Astronesthes. They possess a bioluminescent red chin barbel that the fish use as a lure to attract small prey into striking distance.
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| Astronesthes sp. (2008). The soft skin on this specimen was damaged by the net in which it was collected. | |
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| Genus: | Astronesthes J. Richardson, 1845 |
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The fish have delicate skin, and mouths filled with sharp, needlelike, curved teeth.[1]
Species
There are currently 48 recognized species in this genus:[2]
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Astronesthes cyaneus
Astronesthes gemmifer
Astronesthes lucifer
Astronesthes martensii
Astronesthes similus
Astronesthes splendida
References
- Stewart, Andrew. "Science report: Denizens of the deep: daggertooth and stareater." NZ IPY-CAML Voyage 2008. 2008. Ministry of Fisheries. Crown Copyright: 2008. http://www.fish.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/7CF525AF-2985-4152-B225-28E52E389F3B/0/IPYdiary10.pdf
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2012). Species of Astronesthes in FishBase. February 2012 version.
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