It is replaced in the northeastern Pacific Ocean by Ceratoscopelus townsendi but is otherwise present in tropical and sub-tropical waters, being particularly common around South Africa and in the southern and eastern China Sea.

[2] The diet is mostly zooplankton,[2] but in the North Pacific Gyre, Warming's lantern fish was found to feed at night on floating mats of Rhizosolenio (diatoms).

This example of herbivory, unusual among deep sea fish, has led to modifications of the gut.

[4] This deep sea migratory fish is of no interest to commercial fisheries and it faces no particular threats.

It is common throughout its range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed it as being of "least concern".