(Family):Dorsal origin well in advance of anal origin. Posterior end of dorsal base above or in advance of anal origin. Pelvic insertion below or somewhat in advance of dorsal origin. Skin without scales or scale-like patterns. Gill teeth present. Barbel present. (Genus):Teeth on maxillary closely spaced, their bases touching, comb-like, slanting backward. Some strong, hastate canines on premaxillary and anterior dentary. Anal fin with 12〜22 rays. (Species):A prominent luminous patch on opercle; its color pink in fresh but whitish in preserved state. Ventral series of photophores below pectoral fin forming a arched line. Posterior PV elevated progressively (Fig.). AC photophores level, equally spaced. Serial photophores small, interspaces in OV more than 4 times photophore diameter. Barbel length about half of head length.
Distribution:
Atlantic Ocean between 30°N and 30°S, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
Remarks:
A close relative, Astronesthes cyaneus (Brauer), is known from the Indian and Pacific oceans (Goodyear and Gibbs, 1969). (Fujii)