One species only is known (H. mediterraneus), which occurs in the Mediterranean, the neighbouring parts of the Atlantic, and in the sea off Japan.
Trachichthys.—Snout very short and obtuse, with prominent chin; eye large. Villiform teeth on the palatine bones and on the vomer. A strong spine at the scapulary and at the angle of the præoperculum. Scales rather small; abdomen serrated. One dorsal, with from three to six spines; ventral with six soft rays. Caudal forked.
Four species are known from New Zealand and Madeira.
Anoplogaster is an allied genus from tropical parts of the Atlantic; it is scaleless.
Beryx.—Snout short, with oblique cleft of the mouth and prominent chin; eye large. Villiform teeth on the palatine bones and vomer. Opercular bones serrated; no spine at the angle of the præoperculum. Scales ctenoid, of moderate or large size. One dorsal, with several spines; ventrals with seven or more soft rays. Anal with four spines; caudal forked.
Fig. 184.—Beryx decadactylus.
Five species are known from Madeira, the tropical Atlantic, and the seas of Japan and Australia. The species figured is B. decadactylus, common at Madeira, and occurring near Japan at a depth of 345 fathoms; it attains a length of 1½ feet.
Melamphaes.—Head large and thick, with very thin bones, nearly all the superficial bones being transformed into wide muciferous channels. Eye small. Palate toothless; no barbels; opercles not armed. Scales large, cycloid. One dorsal, with six spines; anal spines very feeble; caudal forked. Ventrals with seven rays.
Two species, deep-sea fishes of the Atlantic; they are very scarce, as only three or four specimens have been found hitherto.