Beryciformes

views updated

Beryciformes (class Osteichthyes, subclass Actinopterygii) Order of bony fish, most of which have short, deep bodies, rough scales, sharp spines on the head, and usually more than five soft rays in the ventral fins. With more than 140 species, this order is divided into several families, e.g. Berycidae (alfonsinos), Holocentridae (squirrelfish), and Anomalopidae (lantern-eye fish).