Species: Argentina striata, Striated Argentine

Argentina striata Goode & Bean, 1896

Striated Argentine

Elongate, a little compressed, oval in cross-section; body depth 12.2% (9.7-15.6%); small, terminal mouth; top jaw toothless; top jawbones do not meet at front; teeth on center and sides of roof of mouth in continuous band; teeth on front and sides of tongue; branchiostegal rays of opercular membrane under throat 5; gill rakers robust, conical, 6 (occasionally 7) lower rakers; fins without spines; 1 dorsal fin plus a small adipose fin at rear, over anal; pectoral 19 (18-21), fin low on side; pelvics on midbelly, 12-15 rays, usually 13-15; anal fin at rear; tail forked; scales small, smooth; tail base relatively deep (19.2%, range 16.7-22.7%); vertebrae 49 (47-51).

Body translucent, head silver; lower 2/3 of body slivery; swim bladder silvery; no external pigment along lower midline (although dark pigment of gut lining may show through thin skin of the belly); some fish with throat peppered with dark dots; small fish sometimes with 8-9 dark blotches on upper body.

Size: 21 cm.

Habitat: bathypelagic over soft bottoms; may form aggregations.

Depth: 95-500 m.

Nova Scotia to Uruguay.