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Aphyonidae

( Taxa Named By David Starr Jordan )

Aphyonidae Fin Fish Sea

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Aphyonidae is a family of eel-like fishes in the order Ophidiiformes. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the world. They are deep-sea fishes, living between and depth.

Nielsen, J.G. (1998). 9780125476652, Academic Press. ISBN 9780125476652

Description and biology

Aphyonids are small , typically about long when fully grown. They have transparent, gelatinous skin, which lacks any scales. The dorsal fin, caudal fin and are united into a single ribbon. Most species are neoteny, showing a number of features as adults that are more commonly associated with fish larvae. For example, the skeleton is only partially calcified, and the and are underdeveloped. The , nasal organ and lateral line are also reduced, and they lack a swim bladder.

The aphyonids are viviparous, giving birth to live young. The males bundle their sperm into small sacs (), so that they can be stored for extended periods. This allows them to mate with immature females, which can then store the sperm inside the ovaries until they reach sexual maturity, and the eggs are ready to be fertilised. This unusual adaptation is likely a response to the difficulty of finding a mate in their dark and sparsely inhabited deep-sea environment.

Categories: Taxa Named By David Starr Jordan, Taxa Named By Barton Warren Evermann