Species guide
How to catch Nichol's lanternfish
Gymnoscopelus nicholsi
saltwaterMyctophidae
Nichol's lanternfish is a small bioluminescent fish found in southern polar waters. It migrates vertically daily, moving closer to the surface at night. This species plays a key role in the Antarctic marine food web.
Where they live
Found south of the Antarctic Polar Front, Nichol's lanternfish inhabits open ocean and continental shelves up to 250 meters deep by day, moving to 50-100 meters at night. It is a mesopelagic species in cold southern oceans.
Typical size
Up to about 19 cm
What they eat
- small amphipods
- calanoid copepods
- ostracods
- sea snails (Limacina)
- polychaete worms
- various krill species
Best baits
- small shrimp
- micro-pellets
Best lures
- tiny soft plastics
- small jigs
How to fish for them
- light jigging
- drop fishing
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