Anarhichadidae
by V. V. Barsukov
Rather elongate fishes, reaching over 1 m; head large, snout rounded, jaws with large canine-like teeth in front, conical tearing and/or rounded crushing teeth at sides and on roof of mouth. Dorsal fin long, reaching from just behind head to base of caudal fin (and sometimes confluent with it); pectoral fins large and rounded; pelvic fins absent; anal fin long, reaching to base of caudal fin (and sometimes confluent with it). Scales minute, not overlapping each other, embedded in skin.
Common in North Atlantic (rare in North Pacific), mostly close to bottom (but some in midwaters) in moderately deep waters of Continental Shelf and Slope. Feeding on pelagic invertebrates when young, or mainly on hard-shelled bottom invertebrates (molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms) when half-grown or adult. Eggs deposited in a round clump. Of some commercial importance in North Atlantic.
Genera 2; in Clofnam area 1.
Recent revision: Barsukov (1959).