ABSTRACT

Chauliodontidae comprises eight species in the genus Chauliodus of which two species occur in our area-C. sloani and C. danae. They are small to medium size (< 30 cm), slender, compressed fishes, with 5 rows of large deciduous scales embedded in shallow pockets with a hexagonal pigment pattern. In life they are iridescent blue or gray over a black background and preserved are very black with some hints of silvery iridescence. The mouth is large with long fang-like teeth on the premaxillaries and dentaries. The dorsal fin is unique among these advanced stomiiforms as it is placed far forward, just behind the head and well in advance of the pelvic fins. In addition, the first dorsal ray is usually produced with a long filament terminating in a small flap. Both dorsal and anal adipose fins present, the latter in advance of the anal fin. Pelvic fins lie before middle of body and the gut is very long (ca. 90% of SL). Atlantic species have reduced or absent mental barbel. Two rows of large photophores present on side of trunk with wavy or irregular row of smaller organs between them and a row on midventral line between the lower rows. Photophores present on branchiostegal membranes between rays; postorbital photophore present and preorbital photophore embedded in skin. Small photophores on each scale.