| Bathysauridae | |
|---|---|
| Bathysaurus ferox | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Aulopiformes |
| Family: | Bathysauridae |
| Genus: | Bathysaurus |
| Species | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Macristium |
|
The Bathysauridae are a small family of deep water aulopiform fish, related to the telescopefishes. There are just two species in the family, both belonging to the genus Bathysaurus. Commonly called deepwater lizardfishes or "deepsea lizardfishes", the latter name usually refers to the species B. ferox specifically.
Physically, the bathysaurids resemble the lizardfishes, a fact reflected in their common names. They can be distinguished from the lizardfishes by possessing flatter heads and curved and barbed teeth. They are moderately sized fish, up to 78 centimetres (31 in) in length.[1]
Bathysaurids inhabit the deep oceans, below 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) depth.[1]
Their larvae were originally believed to represent a distinct genus (Macristium) and even family.
There are just two species of bathysaurid:[2]
Family Bathysauridae