Astronesthes are deep sea creatures that have glowing and bright
tips hanging out of their heads to attract prey in the deep, dark
waters. A.psychrolutes has an elongate, slightly compressed body
that lacks scales. The dorsal fin origin is positioned well forward
of the anal fin origin. A dorsal adipose fin is present behind the
dorsal fin. The caudal fin is forked. This species has a large
mouth with long pointed teeth. There is a barbel on the chin and
two rows of photophores on the lower side of the body. There is a
small photophore below the front of the eye (suborbital photophore)
and a larger one below the rear of the eye (the postorbital
photophore). A.psychrolutes is black with purplish luminous areas
on the side of the body. It grows to 28cm in standard length. This
species occurs in temperate mesopelagic (glossary) waters
worldwide. In Australia it is known from off South Australia.