Southern stoplight loosejaw

Malacosteus australis

Sixteen Point Six Centimeters Stomiid Fish of Asian Waters

Cross-climate
Subtropical
Temperate
Tropical
Near the Equator
Southern Hemisphere
Regional distribution
Marine fish
Indian Ocean
Elongated
Medium
Tropical fish

Malacosteus australis, the southern stoplight loosejaw, is a species of barbeled dragonfish. This species is mainly distinguished from Malacosteus niger by a smaller postorbital photophore in both sexes and lower numbers of lateral photophores. It also differs in having somewhat smaller jaws, a fleshy orbit, and several subtle morphological traits.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Dragonfishes and Allies
Family: Stomiidae
Genus: Malacosteus
Maximum length: 16.6 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: Circumglobal: subtropical and temperate waters of the southern hemisphere, 25°-45°S and equatorial Indian Ocean and Indo-Australasian Archipelago.
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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