Results of research into the trophic relationships of myctophids demonstrate that this group of mesopelagic fish plays a significant role in the community of Southern Ocean marine organisms. Myctophids have the trophic status of zooplankton consumers. The large amount of meso- and macroplankton consumed by myctophids indicates high abundance and biomass of these fishes. According to a preliminary estimate, the yearly consumption of zooplankton by Electrona carlsbergi ranges from 157 to 364 million tonnes. Myctophids occupy the third level in the Southern Ocean trophic system and are consumers of the second order. Myctophids play a major role as producers, supporting the production of organisms higher up the food chain (certain species of squid, notothenioids, seabirds and mammals).