Stomiidae

Stomiidae
Temporal range:
Photostomias goodyeari
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Stomiiformes
Suborder: Phosichthyoidei
Family: Stomiidae
Genera

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.