Ephippidae

views updated

Ephippidae (spadefish, batfish; subclass Actinopterygii, order Perciformes) A small family of marine fish in which the compressed, flattened body is usually nearly as deep as it is long. The small mouth, steep forehead, and the large second dorsal and anal fins are also typical. Fairly slow-moving fish, they are found near rocky outcrops or coral reefs. There are about 15 species, occurring world-wide in warm to temperate waters.

More From encyclopedia.com