Taaningichthys minimus 



(Taning, 1928) 



Fig. 133 — Taaningichthys minimus. 51.8 mm. 



Description 



D. 12 (11-13); A. 13 (12-14); P. 16-17; AO 7 (5-7) + 4 (3-6); PO 5-6; VO 9-10; gill rakers 4-5 

 -I- 1 -I- 11-12 (10-13), total 16-17 (15-18); vertebrae 40 (39-41). 



PVOi well behind a vertical from PVO^. VLO midway between pelvic base and lateral 

 line, or slightly nearer the latter. Prci.2 interspace equal to at least two photophore diameters. 



Size: To about 60 mm. 



Least depth of capture: Between and 400 m at night, to 800 m in daylight in Hawaiian 

 waters. Clarke (1973) states "Other reports, e.g., Davy (1972), have stated that T. minimus 

 does not migrate, but all night catches in this study were well above the day depth range. 

 Individuals 20-30 mm long were caught between 150 and 250 m at night and larger fish 

 between 200 and 400 m. None were taken in night tows below 475 m." 



Distribution: As with T. bathyphilus, T. minimus is known from all oceans but is even less 

 frequently taken. In the eastern Pacific it is the least commonly taken of the three species (Fig. 

 132). 



Taaningichthys paurolychnus 



Davy, 1972 



Fig. 134 — Taaningichthys paurolychnus, male, 64.5 mm. 



Description 



D. 12-13; A. 13 (12-14); P. 14 (13-15); no AO photophores; gill rakers 3-4 +1-1- 10-11 

 (9-12), total 14-15 ( 13-16); vertebrae 35 (36). 



No luminous organs or photophores on head or body, other than large supracaudal and 

 infracaudal luminous glands; although species of the genus Taaningichthys are notable for 



147 



