Myctophadae-Harootunian

Lantern Fish:By Chris Harootunian

Movement-Lantern fish move in schools of fish which means they move in groups. The groups are segregated by species, meaning each specie stays with only that same species. the move like any other fish, with fins propelling them through the water. Metabolism-Lantern fish spend the day in deep ocean and clome close to the surface at night for food. They follow the migration of plankton, which is their main food source. Growth and Development-It is unknown the exact amount of time for a lantern fish to mature to an adult but the process is egg then larva than adulthood. Lantern fish typically grow up to 6 inches in length. Response to Stimuli-Lantern Fish are very intelligent creatures. They have adapted very well to there surroundings. One way they have adapted to their surroundings is that since they know that predators are out during the day in shallow waters in search of food Lantern Fish go into deep waters during the day to avoid them. Some predators to the Lantern Fish are whales, dolphins, tuna, sharks, seals, squid, and sea birds. Another way they have adapted is that after hiding from predators during the day Lantern Fish come to shallower water for food according to plankton migration. One otherr way Lantern Fish have adapted is they know to divide by species and go to different depths of water to stop competition between species. Reproduction-The gestation time for a baby is unknown. The Lantern Fish female can have from 100-2000 eggs at one time which are then fertilized by males in a process called non-gaurding pelagic spawning which is when females release eggs and males fertilize them externally. Classification- Kindom:Animalia Phylum:Chordata Class:Actinopterygii Order:Myctophiformes Family:Myctophidae Genus:Myctophum Species:Myctophum punctatum Differences between males and females-The only difference is that the female produces the eggs and the male fertilizes them, other than that there is no way to tell them apart. A general characteristic of the family Myctophidae is the ability to produe light which is given off by organs known as photophores. A chemical reaction inside photophores give off light in a chemical process known as bioluminescence.