ABSTRACT
Two species comprise this meso-bathypelagic family and both occur in our area (Kotlyar 1986). Adults are deep bodied with a broad head and compressed posterior trunk, with very long fang-like, canine teeth, and relatively small eyes, The young stages were considered a separate genus (Anoplogaster) from the adults (Caulolepis) because of strong head spines similar to those found in diretmid young. Diretmids have greater numbers of dorsal and anal fin rays thus separation is easy. Other fishes with large head spines include istiophorids and dactylopterids, but in both of those families the parietal & preopercular spines are directed posteriad along the body and both lack spines above the eyes. Scorpaenids, triglids, and peristediids have long parietal spines and some have spines above the eyes, but not elongate preopercular spines. These families differ in many meristic features (refer to appropriate tables).
