The Microstomatidae (pencil smelts) are a family of marine smelts native to the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Their bodies are small and slender, have larg eyes and mouth is small. No spines in fins, dorsal fin is located behind midpoint of their body, pectoral fin base on sides of their body And the lateral line extends over the caudal fin. They are inhabitant in the mesopelagic to bathypelagic zone and feeding on zooplankton.
| Microstomatidae | |
|---|---|
| |
| Slender argentine, Microstoma microstoma | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Argentiniformes |
| Suborder: | Argentinoidei |
| Family: | Microstomatidae |
| Genera | |
References
edit- Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2012). "Microstomatidae" in FishBase. February 2012 version.
- "Microstomatidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 28 March 2006.
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