Microstoma Cuvier, 1817
Body elongate, subcylindrical, mouth small, eye large. Dorsal fin far back on body; no adipose dorsal fin; pectoral fins inserted on sides of body, nearer to lateral line than to belly profile; pelvic fins in front of dorsal fin origin. Lateral line scales larger than others and extending on to caudal fin.
Habitat: mesopelagic, generally solitary. Food: probably zooplankton. Reproduction: spawning throughout year in Mediterranean, apparently more in winter.
Distribution: western half of Mediterranean, also a record to the southwest of Ireland. Elsewhere, probably worldwide in tropical seas, but also in some temperate waters.
Species 1.
Species of this genus in the program:
Microstoma microstoma