Phylum Chordata Rank Family | Scientific name Gempylidae Higher classification Perciformes Order Perciformes | |
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Lower classifications Escolar, Oilfish, Snake mackerel, Cape Snoek, Nesiarchus nasutus | ||
Gempylidae how to pronounce it
The Gempylidae are a family of perciform fishes, commonly known as snake mackerels or escolars. The family includes about 25 species.
They are elongated fishes with a similar appearance to barracudas, having a long dorsal fin, usually with one or finlets trailing it. The largest species, including the snoek, Thyrsites atun, grow up to 2 m long. Like the barracudas, they are predators, with fang-like teeth.
They are deep-water benthopelagic fishes, and several species are important commercial and game fishes.
References
Gempylidae Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA