Biology ofGonostoma gracile Günther (gonostomatidae)

Basing upon the total of 1,081 samples collected by a large plankton net (160 cm in mouth diameter) in the Pacific Ocean, the geographical and vertical distribution ofGonostoma gracile were studied. The species is distributed in the water masses of the Kuroshio, the Kuroshio Extension, the North Pacific Current, the Oyashio, the North Pacific Subarctic Water and the western North Pacific Central Water. The center of distribution lies in the Kuroshio area off Japan. Vertically, the species occurs between the depths of 200 and 1,000 m, mainly 300–700 m, both during daytime and at night. A part of population might come up to 0–200 m at night, although its biomass is negligibly small in comparison to that remaining in 300–700 m layer. Postlarvae are found in 300–700 m layer, mainly at 300–500 m, and apparently do not undertake diurnal vertical migration.