Vinciguerria attenuata

V. attenuata is found in the warmer parts of the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea,^[1] and also the Indian Ocean and much of the Pacific Ocean, between about 48°N and 57°S. It is mainly a mesopelagic fish, making short diel vertical migrations, remaining at depths of between about 250 and 600 m (800 and 2,000 ft) during the day and rising to between 100 and 500 m (300 and 1,600 ft) at night.^[4] Both adults and juveniles are commonly caught between 250 and 300 m (800 and 1,000 ft). The pre-metamorphic larvae are found at a similar depth, but during metamorphosis, the larvae descend to between 300 and 700 m (1,000 and 2,300 ft).^[3]

The diet of V. attenuata consists of planktonic organisms, particularly crustaceans such as copepods. The sexes are separate and breeding takes place throughout the year, but mostly in spring and summer. Both eggs and larvae form part of the plankton. The larvae undergo metamorphosis when about 17 to 19 mm (0.67 to 0.75 in) long and it is at this time that the photophores develop.^[5]