Myctophidae

noun

Distribution: circumglobal. Below the adipose fin is a cartilaginous supporting plate. Some genera with small supramaxilla. Subocular shelf present. Anal fin origin below or slightly behind dorsal fin base. Head and body with groups and rows of small photophores; one species without. Scales cycloid; ctenoid in 4 species. Swim bladder usually present. Vertebrae 28-45. Heavily preyed upon by many marine fishes and mammals. Diurnal migration exhibited by many: most species with peak abundance between 300 and 1200 m by day and between 10 and 100 m at night.

The family Myctophidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Myctophiformes. It contains 32 genera and 235 species. It may be found in Marine environments and is primarily Marine. Members of this family are not used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are nonguarders. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is carangiform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be normal. Members of this family have been dated back to the Miocene epoch of the Tertiary period. Etymology of this family name: Greek, mykter, -eros = nose + Greek, ophis = serpent