ABSTRACT
The stephanoberyciform family Rondeletiidae includes two meso-and bathypelagic species, both of which occur in the western central North Atlantic. Rondeletia loricata is known from temperate and tropical waters of all major oceans, while R. bicolor is found primarily in the North Atlantic, with two specimens recorded from the Pacific. Redmouth whalefishes lack fin spines and external scales as adults, and have abdominal pelvic fins, posterior and opposite dorsal and anal fins, vertical rows of lateral line neuromasts, a large snout and horizontal mouth with jaws extending to the posterior margin of the orbit.
