| Brachionichthys Temporal range: 55–0 Ma Eocene to Present[1] |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Lophiiformes |
| Family: | Brachionichthyidae |
| Genus: | Brachionichthys Bleeker, 1855 |
| Species | |
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See text. |
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The genus Brachionichthys was, until recently, the only genus in the family Brachionichthyidae (commonly known as Handfishes), but there are presently 5 genera in this family of anglerfishes.[2]
They use their pectoral fins to walk about on the sea floor. These highly modified fins have the appearance of hands, hence their scientific name, from Latin bracchium meaning "arm" and Greek ichthys meaning "fish".
The prehistoric species Histiontophorus bassani, from the Lutetian of Monte Bolca, is now considered to be a handfish, sometimes even being included in Brachionichthys.
There are two extant species:
