Psychrolutidae
| Psychrolutidae Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| Tidepool sculpin (Oligocottus maculosus), a typical member of the family | |
| Blob sculpin (Psychrolutes phrictus), a deep-sea member of the family in its natural state | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Suborder: | Cottoidei |
| Superfamily: | Cottoidea |
| Family: | Psychrolutidae T. N. Gill, 1861 |
| Genera | |
|
see text | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Bathylutichthyidae Balushkin & Voskoboynikova, 1990 | |
Psychrolutidae (commonly known as marine sculpins, flathead sculpins, blobfishes, or tadpole sculpins) is a family of sculpins found in cool temperate waters throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with a few species ranging into cold and deep waters of the Southern Hemisphere. The vast majority are found in marine habitats, but a few range into freshwater habitats. The family reaches its greatest diversity in the North Pacific Ocean, but a few species are found as far south as Antarctica. The family contains over 216 recognized species in 63 genera. Their name is derived from the Greek psychrolouteo, meaning "to have a cold bath".