Reviewed species page
Smalleye lantern shark
Common name: Etmopterus Litvinovi
Etmopterus litvinovi
Etmopterus litvinovi
Least Concern (LC)
Overview
A Southeast Pacific lanternshark with a verified least-concern conservation assessment. Most lanternsharks are small, dark sharks with no anal fin, dorsal spines, and light-producing photophores arranged in species-specific patterns. Recorded from the Southeast Pacific.
They usually inhabit outer continental shelves, slopes, seamount flanks, and deep pelagic layers, often well below sunlight.
Why it matters: The photophore patterns of lanternsharks are so distinctive that they can help separate similar-looking species.
Common nameEtmopterus Litvinovi
Scientific nameEtmopterus litvinovi
FamilyEtmopteridae
OrderSqualiformes
Max length0.6 m
Depth range630 to 1100 meters
ConservationLeast Concern (LC)
RegionSoutheast Pacific.
What this shark is
Most lanternsharks are small, dark sharks with no anal fin, dorsal spines, and light-producing photophores arranged in species-specific patterns.
Where it lives
Recorded from the Southeast Pacific.
They usually inhabit outer continental shelves, slopes, seamount flanks, and deep pelagic layers, often well below sunlight.
How it differs from similar sharks
Compare it against Brown lanternshark, Etmopterus Alphus, and Ninja lanternshark.
Why it is notable
They seldom interact directly with people. Most information comes from deepwater surveys and incidental capture.
Most species are poorly observed but likely make limited vertical movements and spend much of their time in dim or dark water. Some may aggregate by size or sex.
Related shark pages
These links are meant to help readers continue through related species, not force extra clicks.
Brown lanternshark
Etmopterus unicolor
0.8 m maxData deficient (DD)
Etmopterus Alphus
Etmopterus alphus profile
Ninja lanternshark
Common name: Etmopterus Benchleyi
Etmopterus benchleyi
0.3 m maxLeast Concern (LC)
Etmopterus Brosei
Etmopterus brosei profile