Bregmaceros atlanticus Goode & Bean, 1886
Antenna codlet
Bregmaceros atlanticus
photo by NOAA\NMFS\Mississippi Laboratory

Family:  Bregmacerotidae (Codlets)
Max. size:  7.8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Central Atlantic: Southwards to South Africa in the eastern part. Records outside central western Atlantic should be different species (H.Ho, pers.comm. 2/2017).

All reports in the Mediterranean Sea before 2017 are misidentifications for Bregmaceros nectabanus Whitley, 1941.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 48-57; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 49-60; Vertebrae: 49-57. The head is of moderate size; eyes large; snout rounded. The first dorsal fin is well separated from the second dorsal fin. The body is brownish above, silvery below.
Biology:  Generally oceanic. Feed on zooplankton and phytoplankton, especially crustaceans (Ref. 6735). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 6735).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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