Stomiidae

Astronesthes martensii

Astronesthes martensii

Red bioluminescent chin barbel

• Regional distribution
• Marine fish
• Pacific Ocean
• Africa
• Southeast Asia
• Elongated
• Small

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. The fish have delicate skin, and mouths filled with sharp, needlelike, curved teeth.