Gigantactinidae
by E. Bertelsen and T. W. Pietsch
Females distinct from other ceratioids in having slender body with head length less than 35% SL and caudal peduncle more than 20% SL; no sphenotic spines; pterygiophore of illicium short, slightly protruding on tip of snout, illicium in most species reaching a length of more than 100% SL; skin spinulose. Males non-parasitic with minute eyes and large olfactory organs, anterior nostrils close together, opening anteriorly; denticular teeth all or nearly all mutually free. Larvae with exceptionally large pectoral fins, 45-55% SL (larger than in any other ceratioids except for Chaulophryne).
Genera 2; in Clofnam area 1, the other, Rhynchactis, known from all oceans, including the Atlantic north of equator.
Recent revision: Bertelsen et al. (1981).