Flatface Lanternfish

Diaphus perspicillatus

This tropical species (Backus et al., 1977) is rare near Bermuda, being represented in the collections by a total of 17 specimens, 19–60 mm. All were caught between February and September. This is a moderate-size lanternfish maturing at 50–54 mm and growing to about 71 mm (Hulley, 1981). The Ocean Acre specimens include ten juveniles 19–37 mm, five subadults 40–58 mm, and two adult males 57–60 mm. Based upon the lack of adult females and juveniles at or near the size of transformation at all seasons, and the lack of specimens of all stages in fall and early winter, D. perspicillatus probably is not a breeding resident of the study area. Nafpaktitis (1968) indicated that the main spawning area is south of the Sargasso Sea.

Four of the five fish caught during the paired seasonal cruises were taken in discrete-depth tows; three at 18–70 m during the night (all seasons combined), and one, a probable contaminant, at 1501–1550 m by day in late spring. Five specimens (36–60 mm) were taken in the upper 50 m at night in August with the Engel trawl. Clarke (1973) gave a depth range of 490–600 m by day and 15–100 m by night for D. perspicillatus (as D. elucens) near Hawaii.