Ceratiidae
by E. Bertelsen and T. W. Pietsch
Females distinct from other ceratioids in having 2 or 3 caruncles on back in front of dorsal fin; no sphenotic spines, posterior end of illicial pterygiophore protruding as a 'dorsal tentacle' in front of caruncles when retracted; cleft of mouth vertical to very oblique; D and A 4-5. Males parasitic with a pair of large denticular teeth on snout, fused at base and articulating with pterygiophore of illicium, 2 pairs of denticular teeth on tip of lower jaw; eyes large, bowl-shaped; olfactory organs minute.
Genera 2.
Recent revision: Pietsch (1986).