Order

Lophiiformes

  Class

Teleostei

No. in FishBase

Genera : 2 | Species : 7 Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes

  Environment

Fresh : No | Brackish : No | Marine : Yes

  Division

Marine

  Aquarium

none

  First Fossil Record

     

  Remark

From Nelson (1994). Distribution: Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific. Tropical and subtropical; continental shelf or slope. Pelvic fin small and connected with cleithrum (Ref. 07463). Distinguishing character: Metamorphosed females of this family uniquely having an exposed second, light-bearing, dorsal-fin spine at the head, directly posterior to the illicium. This distal light organ is conspicuous in specimens approximately less than 3 cm, otherwise retracted in larger specimens. Possessing well-developed sphenotic spines, quadrate and articular spines, 3 pectoral radials, and notably, close-set dermal spinules covering the skin entirely along with the illium and the proximal part of the esca. Lone recorded juvenile metamorphosed male, measuring 1.4 cm in length, with large, laterally directed eyes and nostrils, a pair of denticular teeth on the upper jaw and two transverse series with 4 - 5 each of denticular teeth on the lower jaw, and presence of dermal spinules. Males are free-living with the indication of never becoming parasitic. Female larvae, two on record measuring 0.7 - 1.05 cm, with short and deep, almost globose body; skin very inflated with even subdermal pigmentation throughout; average-sized pectoral fins not surpassing the dorsal and anal fins in length; 5 - 7 dorsal-fin rays, 4 anal-fin rays (very rarely 5), 13 - 16 pectoral-fin rays, and 9 caudal rays (very rarely 8; 1 simple + 6 bifurcated + 2 simple). Largest recorded female specimen, Diceratias pileatus, measures 2.75 cm. Lone metamorphosed male recorded measures 1.4 cm (Ref. 86949).

  Etymology

Greek, di = two, double + Greek, keras or keratos = horn, horned (referring to the two conspicuous dorsal-fin spines in the larvae and young females) (Ref. 86949).

  Reproductive guild

nonguarders

  Typical activity level

  Main Ref.

Nelson, J.S. 1994

  Coordinator

  Deep Fin Classification

Osteichthyes | Actinopterygii | Actinopteri | Neopterygii | Teleostei | Osteoglossocephalai | Clupeocephala | Euteleosteomorpha | Neoteleostei | Eurypterygia | Ctenosquamata | Acanthomorphata | Acanthopterygii | Percomorphaceae | Eupercaria | | | Lophiiformes | Ceratioidei | | Diceratiidae