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Family
Melanocetidae (Black seadevils)
Species Currently in the DFL
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About This Family
Distribution:
Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Ocean.
Habitat:
Marine.
Remarks:
The family Melanocetidae has a circumglobal distribution in tropical to temperate waters. The Greek word melos means “black” and cetus means “whale” or “marine monster.” Black seadevils have distinctively large heads, illicium (a "fishing rod-like" appendage on the head) and an esca, (fishing lure or "bait" on the end of the illicium). They possess sharp fang-like teeth and a scaleless body that tapers off at the tail. They generally feed on crustaceans and small fishes.
The family consists of one genus, Melanocetus, with five species.
References:
Nelson 2006; FishBase 2004