Scopelomorpha is the superorder of deep-sea bony fishes inhabiting seawater, comprising only one order, namely, Myctophiformes.
The Myctophiformes order, in its turn, consists of 2 families, including the Myctophidae family, or lanternfishes. 16 representatives of this family are inhabitants of the Adriatic Sea. Species of the other family, Neoscopelidae, are not found in the Adriatic Sea.
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The lanternfishes of decent size, which amount to about 250 species, comprise about 65% of the total fish biomass of the world’s oceans. The lanternfishes are an important food link of sea water predatory fishes.
All lanternfishes, except for one species, have luminous organs, that is, photophores.
Some species arrange schools, which make it difficult to determine the depth using an echo sounder, creating a “false bottom” effect on the device screen.
Glacier lantern fish (Benthosema glaciale).
(Glacier lantern fish. Photo by © Rudolf Svendsen. uib.no)
It occurs at the depth of 0-1407 meters, usually 300-400 meters. The maximum recorded length is 10.3 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Madeira lantern fish (Ceratoscopelus maderensis).
(Madeira lantern fish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 51-1082 meters. Bathypelagic species. The maximum recorded length is 8.1 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Small lantern fish (Diaphus holti).
(Small lantern fish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 40-777 meters. Bathypelagic species. The maximum recorded length is 7 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Spothead lantern fish (Diaphus metopoclampus).
(Spothead lantern fish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 90-1085 meters. The maximum recorded length is 7.5 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a rare inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
White-spotted lantern fish (Diaphus rafinesquii).
(White-spotted lantern fish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 40-1200 meters. The maximum recorded length is 9 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Electric lantern fish (Electrona risso).
(Electric lantern fish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 90-820 meters. The maximum recorded length is 8.2 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Cocco’s lanternfish (Gonichthys cocco).
(Cocco’s lanternfish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 0-1000 meters, usually 425-650 meters. The maximum recorded length is 6 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Benoit’s lanternfish (Hygophum benoiti).
(Benoit’s lanternfish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 51-700 meters. The maximum recorded length is 5.5 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Bermuda lantern fish (Hygophum hygomii).
(Bermuda lantern fish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 0-800 meters. The maximum recorded length is 6.8 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Jewel lanternfish (Lampanyctus crocodilus).
(Jewel lanternfish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 0-1192 meters. The maximum recorded length is 30 cm. It feeds on zooplankton. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Pygmy lanternfish (Lampanyctus pusillus).
(Pygmy lanternfish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 40-850 meters. The maximum recorded length is 4.3 cm. It feeds on zooplankton. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Dofleini’s lantern fish (Lobianchia dofleini).
(Dofleini’s lantern fish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 0-4000 meters. The maximum recorded length is 5 cm. It feeds on zooplankton. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Gemellar’s lanternfish (Lobianchia gemellarii).
(Gemellar’s lanternfish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 25-800 meters. The maximum recorded length is 6 cm. It feeds on zooplankton. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Spotted lanternfish (Myctophum punctatum).
(Spotted lanternfish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 0-1000 meters. The maximum recorded length is 11 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
(Notoscopelus elongatus. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 45-1000 meters. The maximum recorded length is 10.6 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Large-scale lantern fish (Symbolophorus veranyi).
(Large-scale lantern fish. Photo by © Francesco Costa. fishbase.org)
It occurs at the depth of 0-800 meters. The maximum recorded length is 12 cm. It feeds on crustaceans. It is a permanent inhabitant of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea.