Berycidae
by G. E. Maul
Body ovate, compressed; caudal peduncle short. Angle of preopercle and post-temporal serrated, without spine. Mouth large, oblique. Supramaxillae 2. Teeth small, in bands, present along upper and lower jaw bones, vomer and palatines. Dorsal spines IV-VIII. Anal spines IV. Soft rays of anal 12-30. Main caudal rays 18-19. No ventral scutes. Lateral-line scales not enlarged.
Distributed all over the oceans of the world, except in the Arctic Ocean. Bottom-living, from 200 to 300 m or much more, at least in Madeira. Highly esteemed as food fish.
Genera 2; in Clofnam area 1.
Recent revision: Woods and Sonoda (1973).