Chimaeridae

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Chimaeridae (ghostfish, ratfish; subclass Holocephali, order Chimaeriformes) A family of oceanic fish that have large eyes, a short and rounded snout, and a strongly tapering body which ends in a narrow, filament-like tail. The first of the two dorsal fins has a strong spine at the leading edge; the pectoral fins are large and wing-like. The rabbitfish of western Europe (Chimaera monstrosa) lives close to the bottom, at 100–500 m and may grow to 1.2 m. It is of some commercial importance in a number of countries. There are about 15 species, with a world-wide distribution.

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