Stomiidae

A 2008 discovered Astronesthes Type

The baleen dragon fish or dragon scales fish ( Stomiidae ) are a more than 270 species in 28 genera in all oceans, including the Mediterranean, widespread family of deep sea fishing. They include ( according to the traditional view ) the known Viper fish ( Chauliodus ).

Features

The animals have an elongated body, head and mouth are great. The unequal teeth, dagger -shaped, curved backward and protrude when the mouth is closed. The scales fall off easily and are dark brown or black. The animals have luminous organs, partly also in the mouth and gill cavity. The animals are from 4 to 50 cm long. They can be very large prey, such as sardines overwhelm even ( in relation to their own dimensions ).

System

• Subfamily Astronesthinae
• Subfamily shed dragon fish ( Stomiinae )
• Subfamily Viper fish ( Chauliodontinae )
• Subfamily shed lots of dragon fish ( Melanostomiinae )
• Subfamily Black dragon fish ( Idiacanthinae )
• Subfamily Malacosteinae

According to recent phylogenetic studies, the baleen dragon fish are not monophyletic, because the Viper fish are closer to the family deepwater Beilfische used as with the other studied baleen dragon fish. Also made ​​here subdivision into sub-families seem to have in this form not stand.