The Aquarium is open. Be aware of road closures and safety alerts affecting Monterey County. 

Northern lampfish

Stenobrachius leucopsarus

Not on view at the Aquarium

Meet the northern lampfish

Each species of lampfish has a distinct pattern of lights on its body. When a lampfish goes looking for a mate, it seeks out other fish with the same pattern. How does a lampfish make light? It has special light-producing organs — called photophores — along its sides and belly.

Animal type

Fishes

Habitat

Deep sea

Size

Up to 5 inches long (12 cm)

Diet

Primarily small copepods; also euphausiids, sergestid shrimp, amphipods

Range

Midwater (2,2973,281 feet, or 7001,000 meters)

Relatives

There are several species of lampfish

Conservation

Anything that finds its way into the ocean, whether it's tossed away as trash, washes off a beach or falls off a boat, may eventually make its way to the deep sea. It's important to realize that the deep sea is not so far away that it's beyond the reach of human activities. Living creatures in the deep are affected by what we do at the surface.

Cool facts

  • Most lampfish migrate to the surface nightly to feed. 
  • Lampfish larvae show up in Monterey Bay from December to March.
Bloodybelly comb jellies behind the scenes at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Now open

Want to see amazing deep-sea creatures up close?

Visit our exhibition, Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean (En lo Profundo: Explorando Nuestro Océano Desconocido).

Meet the northern lampfish

Northern lampfish

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