Aphyonidae

Aphyonidae is a family of eel-like fishes in the order Ophidiiformes. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the world. They are deep-sea fishes, living between 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) and 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) depth.[2]

Aphyonidae
Aphyonus gelatinosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Ophidiiformes
Suborder: Bythitoidei
Family: Aphyonidae
D. S. Jordan & Evermann, 1898
Genera

Aphyonus Günther, 1878
Barathronus Goode & Bean, 1886
Meteoria Nielsen, 1969
Nybelinella Nielsen, 1972
Paraphyonus Nielsen, 2015 [1]
Parasciadonus Nielsen, 1984
Sciadonus Garman, 1899

Description and biology

Aphyonids are small fishes, typically about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) long when fully grown. They have transparent, gelatinous skin, which lacks any scales. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins are united into a single ribbon. Most species are neotenic, showing a number of features as adults that are more commonly associated with fish larvae. For example, the skeleton is only partially calcified, and the muscles and gills are underdeveloped. The eyes, nasal organ and lateral line are also reduced, and they lack a swim bladder.[2]

The aphyonids are viviparous, giving birth to live young. The males bundle their sperm into small sacs (spermatophores), so that they can be stored for extended periods. This allows them to mate with immature females, which can then store the sperm inside the ovaries until they reach sexual maturity, and the eggs are ready to be fertilised. This unusual adaptation is likely a response to the difficulty of finding a mate in their dark and sparsely inhabited deep-sea environment.[2]

gollark: Again, clear would be "written in 50-foot letters of fire in the sky".
gollark: I don't consider this clear because it's not distinguished from the *other* religious books which also claim to be ultimate universal truth.
gollark: I don't think this justifies being punished forever, *infinitely*, especially since, as you said, part of it is a product of the environment. Guess which omnipotent god set up that environment?
gollark: No, this is also terrible. They only punish you *after* you do things, with no clear guide about what's acceptable and what isn't.
gollark: I mean, sure, but other people will be eternally tortured.

References
  1. Nielsen, J.G. (2015): Revision of the aphyonid genus Aphyonus (Teleostei, Ophidiiformes) with a new genus and two new species. Zootaxa, 4039 (2): 323–344.
  2. Nielsen, J.G. (1998). Paxton, J.R.; Eschmeyer, W.N. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 134. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.


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