Nettastomatidae

noun

Distribution: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific. Tropical and warm temperate. Elongated and narrow head and snout. Mouth large. Tail sharply tapering. Adults usually without pectoral fin (present only in Hoplunnis). Vertebrae usually 190-280. Maximum length about 100 cm.

The family Nettastomatidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Anguilliformes. It contains 6 genera and 30 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 anguilliform. Members of this family have been dated back to the middle Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period. Etymology of this family name: Greek, netta, nessa = duck + Greek, stoma = mouth