Loosejaw

Loosejaw

Stomiidae is a family of deep-sea ray-finned fish, including the barbeled dragonfishes, stareaters and loosejaws. Stomiids are generally elongated fish with black or near-black bodies, but they are highly variable in form, and are sometimes grouped into multiple different families as a result. The largest species are about 40 centimetres (16 in) in length, with most being about half that. Most species lack any scales, and have numerous small light-producing photophores scattered over their bodies. In some species, a larger photophore dangles from a barbel attached to the lower jaw, presumably as a lure to attract prey. Many species also have photophores attached to the pectoral fins, which are highly mobile, allowing the light to be moved about. They are predators, eating smaller fish, and have greatly enlarged, fang-like, teeth. Their gut is heavily pigmented, so that any luminescent organs in their prey cannot shine through their bodies and attract larger predators. Like many other deep-water fishes, stomiids produce buoyant eggs, that float up into the surface waters to hatch. The larvae live among the plankton close to the surface, and only swim down to the depths when they begin to take on adult form. Some species are known to be able to change from male to female as they age, increasing their chances of finding a mate.

Loosejaw

Loosejaw

Loosejaw

Loosejaw

Loosejaw

Loosejaw

Loosejaw

Loosejaw