Paralepididae
(including Sudidae)
by A. Post
Small to medium-sized fishes (15-50 cm), the body elongate and slender, subcylindrical to laterally compressed. Snout pointed, mouth terminal, the lower jaw projecting by a non-ossified process; alternately fixed and depressible fang-like teeth on dentary and palatines; premaxilla with fangs at tip, followed by small saw-like canines; gillrakers reduced to teeth or spines in multiple series on bony shields. No spiny rays in fins; single short dorsal fin set behind midpoint of body; dorsal adipose fin always present above last anal finrays; ventral adipose fin also present in some genera; anal fin long, with 20-50 finrays, its origin well behind dorsal fin; pectoral fins set low on body, usually short, except in Sudis. Scales, when present, cycloid and very easily shed; lateral line conspicuous. Light organs present in two genera (Lestidium and Lestrolepis). No swimbladder. Adults either silvery with a brownish dorsal band or completely black, some species with saddle-like dark blotches; juveniles yellowish transparent.
Oceanic from midwater depths (adults) to the surface (young), moderately rare but known from all oceans from Arctic to Antarctic, most abundant in the tropics; swift swimmers; some have been observed to move in vertical head-up or head-down positions; because adults are able to avoid nets, some species are known only from young specimens. Feed on fishes and other pelagic organisms; one species (Notolepis coatsi) is known to specialize on krill (Euphausia superba). Except for Antarctic species, reproduction takes place in tropical to temperate waters; simultaneous hermaphrodites.
Genera 10; in Clofnam area 6.
Recent revisions: Rofen (1966).