Snaggletooths or stareaters are any of a number of small, deep-sea stomiid fish in the genus Astronesthes. They possess a bioluminescent red chin barbel that the fish use as a lure to attract small prey into striking distance.

Stareater
Astronesthes sp. (2008). The soft skin on this specimen was damaged by the net in which it was collected.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Stomiiformes
Family: Stomiidae
Subfamily: Astronesthinae
Genus: Astronesthes
J. Richardson, 1845
Species

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The fish have delicate skin, and mouths filled with sharp, needlelike, curved teeth.[1]

Species

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There are currently 48 recognized species in this genus:[2]

References

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  1. ^ Stewart, Andrew. "Science report: Denizens of the deep: daggertooth and stareater." NZ IPY-CAML Voyage 2008. 2008. Ministry of Fisheries. Crown Copyright: 2008. http://www.fish.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/7CF525AF-2985-4152-B225-28E52E389F3B/0/IPYdiary10.pdf
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Astronesthes". FishBase. February 2012 version.