Pelagiaalset

Pelagiaalset refers to a group of deep-sea fish belonging to the order **Aulopiformes**, specifically within the family **Pelagiaidae**. These fish are commonly known as **pelagic lanternfishes** or **pelagiaals**, though the term "pelagiaalset" is not widely recognized in scientific literature and may be a regional or informal designation. The name likely derives from their pelagic (open-ocean) habitat and distinctive physical traits.

Pelagiaalset are small to medium-sized fish, typically ranging from 5 to 20 centimeters in length, though some species can grow larger. They are characterized by their slender bodies, elongated fins, and bioluminescent organs called photophores, which produce light for communication, camouflage, and attracting prey. These fish inhabit the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones of the ocean, often found between 200 and 1,000 meters in depth.

Their diet primarily consists of plankton, small crustaceans, and other microscopic organisms, which they capture using their sharp teeth and rapid swimming. Pelagiaalset play a crucial role in marine ecosystems as both predators and prey, linking lower trophic levels with larger marine animals like fish, squid, and marine mammals.

Due to their deep-sea habitat, pelagiaalset are rarely encountered by humans. They are not commercially fished but are occasionally caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawling operations. Their ecological importance lies in their role in nutrient cycling and energy transfer within oceanic food webs. Research on these fish remains limited, but their bioluminescent adaptations continue to fascinate scientists studying marine biology and deep-sea ecology.