ABSTRACT
Gibberichthyidae are rare deep-sea fishes inhabiting the meso-, bathy-, and/or benthopelagic regions and adult specimens have been taken from depths ranging from 320 m to 1100 m (de Sylva & Eschmeyer 1977). Larvae and juveniles, however, are believed to be meso-or epipelagic and have been taken at depths less than 50 m & only at night, suggesting a possible vertical diel migration pattern (de Sylva & Eschmeyer 1977; Moore 2003). The presence of fat in the swimbladders of adult G. pumilus suggests that such a vertical migration does not continue past the juvenile stage. Information on the spawning and eggs of Stefanoberyciformes, overall, is sparse. However, de Sylva & Eschmeyer (1977) noted that the eggs of G. pumulis contain an oil globule.
