lantern fish
noun
: any of a family (Myctophidae) of small deep-sea bony fishes that have a large mouth, large eyes, and usually numerous photophores
Examples of lantern fish in a Sentence
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King penguins specifically eat lantern fish but increase their diet variety to include squid over the winter, according to the Australian Antarctic Program.
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Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
Scientists speculate that the squid are likely feasting on the many small animals such as krill and lantern fish that are adapted to spend the day there hiding from other predators that are not equipped to spend time in the hypoxic areas.
—Katherine Harmon, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2010
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Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
Scientists speculate that the squid are likely feasting on the many small animals such as krill and lantern fish that are adapted to spend the day there hiding from other predators that are not equipped to spend time in the hypoxic areas.
—Katherine Harmon, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2010
Cite this Entry
“Lantern fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lantern%20fish. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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