Psychrolutidae
(Psychrolutidae Gunther, 1861 + Cottunculidae Regan, 1913 + Neophrynichthyidae Jordan, 1923)
by V. V. Fedorov and J. S. Nelson
Medium-sized fishes (to about 55 cm SL), body in many species tadpole-shaped and limp; head large, wide, with or without bony protuberances; inter-orbital space wide, usually greater than exposed eye diameter; mouth terminal or nearly so; jaws with numerous short teeth, vomerine teeth present or absent, palatine teeth absent; post-orbital bones 1 or 2; branchiostegal rays 7. Dorsal fin often partially hidden in skin, spinous and soft parts usually continuous; pelvic fin small, often partially retractable, with 1 weak spine and 3 soft rays, rays closely spaced with one another. Body naked or bony plates bearing prickles; cirri usually present on head; skin often loose. Lateral line reduced, pores 20 or fewer. Sensory canals of head hidden through system of well-developed but relatively narrow bony arches. Benthic from shallow water to about 2,800 m, usually on soft bottoms; all species marine. Scattered worldwide but rare in tropics; commonest in North Atlantic, North Pacific and off South Africa. Feeding on benthic and planktonic invertebrates and fishes. Eggs demersal, 2-4.5 mm diameter. No commercial importance.
Genera about 7 (9 according to some authors); in Clofnam area 2.
Recent revision: Nelson (1982). Many taxonomic problems remain unsolved.