Family Macrouroididae

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES.— Head huge, rounded, with consistency of water-filled balloon; eyes tiny, diameter about 10 times into head length, placed forward of upper jaws; dorsal fin single, low; A long low; V absent ( Macrouroides) or tiny with five short rays ( Squalogadus); chin barbel absent; outer GR-I somewhat lathlike; first (outer) gill slit not restricted dorsally and ventrally by opercular membrane.

REMARKS.— Two genera, each with one widespread species, found in most tropical and temperate oceans.