Euphausia pacifica

Taxon-Order: 
Euphausiacea

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Distribution: 
North Pacific; Bering Sea to Baja California and in the Sea of Japan.
Habitat: 
A strong vertical migrator, 0-400 m (to 1000 m). At night it occurs close to the surface.
Size: 
11 - 25 mm
Diet: 
Microplankton.
Predators: 
Important prey for fish, birds and whales
Useful Facts or Characters: 

Eyes are large and round, lacks a rostrum, lacks dorsal abdomnial spines.

Natural History: 

Euphausia pacifica can form large aggregations. It is commercially fished in the Sea of Japan and in Canadian waters near Vancouver Island.

References: 

http://www.calcofi.org/publications/atlases/CalCOFI_Atlas_24.pdf

Brinton, E. (1976) Population biology of Euphausia pacifica off southern California. Fishery Bulletin 74(4):733–762.