Embiotocidae

noun

Distribution: North Pacific, coastal, rarely in freshwater. Dorsal fin with 6-11 spines, except in Hysterocarpus traski (15-19); soft rays 9-28. Three spines in anal fin; soft rays 15-35. Scales cycloid. Lateral line with generally 35-75 scales. Forked caudal fin. Viviparous. Intromission by the male is aided by the thickened anterior of anal fin. Embryos may rely on connections to maternal tissue for developmental requirements. About 45 cm maximum length, reported for Rhacochilus toxotes.

The family Embiotocidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Perciformes. It contains 13 genera and 24 species. It may be found in Marine, Brackish, and 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 bearers. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is labriform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be normal. Members of this family have been dated back to the Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period. This family may be found from 60° n to 23° s and 135° w to 145° e. Etymology of this family name: Greek, embios = persistent, for the whole life + [gr, tokos, -ou], birth