Astronesthes

Snaggletooth

Astronesthes sp. (2008). The soft skin on this specimen was damaged by the net in which it was collected.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Osteichthyes
Subclass:	Neopterygii
Order:	Stomiiformes
Family:	Stomiidae
Genus:	Astronesthes J. Richardson, 1845
Species
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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.

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

There are currently 48 recognized species in this genus:

Astronesthes cyaneus

Astronesthes gemmifer

Astronesthes lucifer

Astronesthes martensii

Astronesthes niger

Astronesthes richardsoni

Astronesthes similus

Astronesthes splendida