Berycidae
| Berycidae Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| Alfonsino (Beryx decadactylus) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Beryciformes |
| Suborder: | Berycoidei |
| Family: | Berycidae R. T. Lowe, 1843 |
| Genera | |
|
†Argilloberyx | |
Berycidae is a small family of deep-sea fishes, related to the squirrelfishes. The family includes the alfonsinos and the nannygais.
Berycids are found in both temperate and tropical waters around the world, between 10 and 1,300 m (33 and 4,265 ft) in depth, though mainly greater than 100 m (330 ft). They are typically red in colour, and measure up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Distinguishing features include spiny scales and large eyes and mouths.
The earliest fossils are of Centroberyx from the Paleocene, though potential earlier records are known from the Campanian.