Genus Astronesthes

A genus of dragonfishes with about 47 species; 12 species known from Australian waters.

Species have the following characteristics: snout of moderate length; maxillary teeth closely spaced and comb-like, slanting rearward, bases touching; anterior premaxillary and mandibular teeth fang-like; postorbital light organ smaller than eye; lateral and ventral photophores not broken into groups; ventral adipose fin present, smaller than dorsal adipose fin (Kenaley et al. 2008). Further information in Parin & Borodulina (2003).