Notacanthus Bloch, 1788
Nearly entire body covered with very small cycloid scales. Snout rather short, length about twice diameter of eye. Distance between gill cover and pectoral inscrtion less than length of pectoral fin. Teeth of premaxilla distinctly different (compressed) from those of dentary. Dorsal fin consisting of 6-15 short, stout, isolated spines; length of dorsal base less than gnathoproctal length. Transition between spines and articulated rays of anal fin abrupt with only a few intermediate rays. Usually 4 or more pyloric caeca, some of which are long.
Benthopelagic on the continental slope (125-2,500 m, commonly between 400 and 1,000 m). In all oceans from polar to tropical latitudes. Feeds on sea-anemones, corals, crustaceans and echinoderms. Mature eggs lie free in body cavity, no oviducts. Each ovary is subdivided into numerous segments; each testis is made up of a number of separate lobes.
Species 6; in Clofnam area 2.
Recent revision: McDowell (1973).
Species of this genus in the program:
Notacanthus bonapartei
Notacanthus chemnitzii