It is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea where it is found in deep water habitats, rising to near the surface to feed at night and descending to great depths by day.

[1] Notoscopelus elongatus is a fairly small lanternfish, growing to a maximum length of about 106 mm (4.2 in).

At a length of about 52 mm (2.0 in), males develop luminous, glandular patches on the dorsal surface of the caudal peduncle.

[3] The purpose of the daily migration is probably to feed at night in the plankton-rich surface waters but avoid predators during the day in the ocean depths.

If the fish takes six to twelve hours to digest its food, this cycle of activity serves to transfer nutrients from surface waters to much greater depths.