Aphyonidae
by J. G. Nielsen
Small, scaleless fishes; in fresh material the body is enveloped in a gelatinous layer. Eyes poorly developed; opercular spine weak or absent; basibranchial tooth patches absent. Vertical fins confluent; pectoral finrays 1 or absent.
Found on or near the bottom at bathyal and abyssal depths; some occur abyssopelagically. Viviparous.
Genera 5; all found in the area.
Recent revision: Nielsen (1969).