Microdesmidae

views updated

Microdesmidae (wormfish; subclass Actinopterygii, order Perciformes) A small family of mostly marine fish that have an elongate to eel-like body, small eyes, a pronounced lower jaw, and minute scales in the skin. The dorsal fin extends along most of the body, and both dorsal and anal fins are confluent with the tail fin. Wormfish are coastal fish living partially burrowed in the coarse sand of the sea-bottom. There are about 21 species, found in tropical waters world-wide.