Notosudidae

Waryfishes
Scopelosaurus ahlstromi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Aulopiformes
Family: Notosudidae
Genera

Ahliesaurus
Luciosudis
Scopelosaurus

Waryfishes are deep-sea aulopiform fishes in the small family Notosudidae. They are thought to have a circumglobal distribution in sub-Arctic to subantarctic waters. The family name "Notosudidae" derives from the Greek noton (back) and Latin sudis (a fish, esox, the name of salmon).

Description

Waryfishes are slender, scaled, fish, similar in appearance to lancetfishes, but lacking the greatly enlarged dorsal fin. Although the adults are deep water fish, the larvae inhabit surface waters, and are unique in having teeth on the upper jaws.[1] Waryfishes lack a swim bladder.

Species

There are 17 species, grouped into three genera:

References

  1. ^ Johnson, R.K. & Eschmeyer, W.N. (1998). Paxton, J.R. & Eschmeyer, W.N.. ed. Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 125. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.