Veliferidae

Sailfin moonfishes are a small family, Veliferidae, of lampriform fishes. They are found in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.

Unlike other lampriforms, they live in shallow, coastal waters, of less than 100 metres (330 ft) depth, rather than in the deep ocean. They are also much smaller than most of their relatives, up to 30 centimetres (12 in) in length, and have deep, rather than elongated, bodies. They are characterised by their ability to retract the anterior rays of their dorsal and anal fins into a sheath.^[1]

Species

There are 2 extant species in two genera:

• Genus Metavelifer Walters, 1960
  • Metavelifer multiradiatus (Regan, 1907)
• Genus Velifer Temminck and Schlegel, 1850
  • Velifer hypselopterus Bleeker, 1879

A prehistoric fossil member of the family is Veronavelifer.

References