Abyssocottidae

noun

Distribution: primarily Lake Baikal, Siberia. Postcleithra reduced or absent; dorsal fin with 3-10 spines and 10-21 soft rays; anal fin with 8-16 soft rays; pelvic fin with one spine and 2-4 soft rays; vertebrae 30-37. Generally occur below 170 m.

The family Abyssocottidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Scorpaeniformes. It contains 6 genera and 20 species. It may be found in Freshwater environments and is primarily Peripheral/diadromous. Members of this family are not used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are guarders. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is subcarangiform. This family may be found from 57° n to 52° s and 100° w to 106° e. Etymology of this family name: Greek, abyssos = bottomless + Greek, kottos = a kind of fish; derived from Greek, kotta = head