ABSTRACT
The family Astronesthidae includes 5 genera and about 22 species in our area. They are midwater predators and the adult of one species, Astronesthes niger, comes to the surface layer at night and is often taken in plankton nets, the only advanced stomiiform in this area to do so. The genus Astronesthes has received a lot of taxonomic attention and several new species have been described as recently as 1998 (see Parin & Borodulina 1998). Their larvae, like the other advance stomiiforms, are rare in ichthyoplankton collections. According to Moser (1996d) they are small to moderate in size (up to 40 cm) and have moderately compressed, elongate, scaleless bodies that are usually black, some with silvery sides. The mouth is large, usually with fang-like teeth. The fin placement is diagnostic for the family as the dorsal fin originates slightly behind the mid-point of the body, but well in advance of the anal fin origin. An adipose fin is present in all genera except Rhadinesthes and some have an anal adipose fin, too. The head and body are covered with many small photophores and the body has two distinct ventral rows. The chin barbel is variable in length and has a terminal bulb in some species. Tables Astronesthidae 1 & 2 provide meristic and photophore data for adults.
