Stomiidae

Stomiidae
Photostomias guernei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Stomiiformes
Suborder: Phosichthyoidei
Family: Stomiidae
Genera

Aristostomias
Astronesthes
Bathophilus
Bathysphaera?
Borostomias
Chauliodus
Chirostomias
Echiostoma
Eupogonesthes
Eustomias
Flagellostomias
Grammatostomias
Heterophotus
Idiacanthus
Leptostomias
Malacosteus
Melanostomias
Neonesthes
Odontostomias
Opostomias
Pachystomias
Photonectes
Photostomias
Rhadinesthes
Stomias
Tactostoma
Thysanactis
Trigonolampa

Stomiidae is a family of deep-sea ray-finned fish, including the barbeled dragonfishes. They are quite small, usually around 15 cm, up to 26 cm. These fish are apex predators and have enormous jaws filled with fang-like teeth.[1] They are also able to hinge the neurocranium and upper-jaw system, which leads to the opening of the jaw to more than 100 degrees.[1] This ability allows them to consume extremely large prey, often 50% greater than their standard length.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Kenaley, Christopher P. (2012). "Exploring Feeding Behavior In Deep-sea Dragonfishes (Teleostei: Stomiidae): Jaw Biomechanics and Functional Significance of a Loosejaw". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 106 (1): 224–240. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2012.01854.x.