stephanoberyciformes

Melamphaidae (ridgeheads)
Gibberichthyidae (gibberfishes)
Stephanoberycidae (pricklefishes)
Hispidoberycidae
The Stephanoberyciformes are an order of marine ray-finned fishes, consisting of about 45 species, the majority (37) of which belong to the ridgehead family (Melamphaidae). The Stephanoberyciformes are mostly uncommon deep-sea types with little if any importance to commercial fishery. They share many morphological similarities with the Beryciformes, their sister order. Common characteristics include a generally rounded body, a toothless palate, rather thin skull bones, and a missing orbitosphenoid bone (except for Hispidoberyx). J.S. Nelson classifies the whalefishes (Cetomimiformes) as a superfamily Cetomimoidea of this order.

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