Stomiidae
| Stomiidae Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| Photostomias goodyeari | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Stomiiformes |
| Suborder: | Phosichthyoidei |
| Family: | Stomiidae |
| Genera | |
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Sea text | |
Stomiidae is a family of deep-sea ray-finned fish, including the barbeled dragonfishes, that live in all oceans in a wide range of depths. They are quite small, ranging around 15 to 26 centimetres (5.9 to 10.2 in) long, and they exhibit a strong sexual dimorphism. These fish are apex predators and have enormous jaws filled with fang-like teeth; their specially adapted neurocranium and upper-jaw system allows them to open their jaws to more than 100 degrees. This ability allows them to consume extremely large prey, often 50% greater than their standard length.