Psychrolutidae

noun

Distribution: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific. Naked or body with plates bearing prickles. Interorbital space usually wider than exposed eye diameter. Reduced lateral line with 20 or fewer pores. Pelvic fin 1 spine, 3 soft rays. Dorsal fins usually continuous, with the anterior portion spinous and often partially hidden by skin. Seven branchiostegal rays. Vomerine teeth present or absent. No palatine teeth. Postorbitals 1 or 2 (usually ringlike, if two). A system of well-developed bony arches (with or without spines) under skin on cranium. Vertebrae 28-38. Maximum length about 65 cm. Depth range of occurrence from inshore shallow water to about 2,800 m.

The family Psychrolutidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Scorpaeniformes. It contains 7 genera and 29 species. It may be found in Marine environments and is primarily Marine. Members of this family are not used in the aquarium trade. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is balistiform. Etymology of this family name: Greek, psychrolouteo = to have a cold bath