Dive 04: Dragon Fish Charms ROV
Video courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration. Download larger version (mp4, 48.7 MB).

The dragonfish captured in this video is Melanostomias melanops. To attract its prey, it has parallel rows of light producing organs called photophores along its body and a "fishing lure" dangling from its chin that also produces light. These fish are found throughout the North Atlantic Ocean at depths ranging from 50 to 1,500 meters (164 and 4,921 feet). Large adults in this family (Stomiidae) often spend time very close to the seafloor (as seen here), but most other individuals can be found in the midwater water column.

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