Familia Eurypharyngidae

Eurypharyngidae

by J. G. Nielsen, E. Bertelsen and T. W. Pietsch

Elongate, black midwater eels with a long, tapering tail. A special development of head-bones provides these eels with an enormous mouth cavity and pharynx. Length of neurocranium seven or more times in length of mandible. Dorsal fin origin above head. A caudal organ at tip of tail.
Bathypelagic, oceanic fishes at about 1,400-2,800 m. Rather common in tropical and temperate parts of all oceans. Oviparous; the eggs hatch into leptocephalus larvae.

Genera 1.

Recent revisions: Bohlke (1966).

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