Notacanthidae

Notacanthidae is a family of ray-finned fishes belonging to the order Anguilliformes, commonly known as the spiny eels. These marine fish are characterized by their elongated, eel-like bodies and the presence of a series of sharp spines anterior to the dorsal fin. Unlike true eels, notacanthids possess pelvic fins, although they are often reduced in size. Their coloration typically ranges from shades of brown to gray, and they inhabit deep-sea environments worldwide, generally found on the continental slopes and abyssal plains. They are benthic or benthopelagic, meaning they live near the seafloor or in the water column just above it. Notacanthids are predatory, feeding on small invertebrates and other fishes. Reproduction is oviparous, with females laying eggs. The family Notacanthidae currently comprises a single genus, Notacanthus, with several recognized species. These fish are rarely encountered and have little economic importance, though they are of interest to ichthyologists studying deep-sea biodiversity and evolution.