Neoscopelidae

views updated

Neoscopelidae (subclass Actinopterygii, order Myctophiformes) A small family of deep-sea fish that resemble lanternfish (Myctophidae) but have a somewhat pointed snout. A few photophores are present on the slender body. Generally small fish (20 cm), they have a single, short, dorsal fin as well as an adipose fin opposite the anal fin; the pelvic fins are just behind the dorsal fin. There are about five species, distributed world-wide.

More From encyclopedia.com