Bythitidae
(Following Cohen and Nielsen (1978) the Bythitidae contains all the viviparous genera referred to Brotulidae)
by J.G. Nielsen
Small to large fishes with a more or less elongate form of body. Almost all with scales. Developed gillrakers on anterior arch 6 or fewer. Anterior nostril abovve upper lip. Median basibranchial tooth patches absent. Males with variously developed external intromittent organ.
Most occur on or near the bottom from a few meters to abyssal depths. A few are bathypelagic. Larval stages are pelagic. In tropical and temperate parts of all oceans. A few genera occur in fresh water in caves. Viviparous.
Genera about 25; in Clofnam area 5.