Pseudichthyidae

Pseudichthyidae is a family of extinct ray-finned fishes that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. The family is known from a single genus, Pseudichthys, and a single species, Pseudichthys elegantus. Fossils of Pseudichthys elegantus have been found in marine deposits in what is now Lebanon. The fish were relatively small, with an estimated length of around 15 centimeters. Their anatomy suggests they were likely bottom-dwelling predators, possibly feeding on small invertebrates. The lack of further discoveries of Pseudichthyidae has led to its classification as a monotypic family. Its precise phylogenetic placement within the ray-finned fishes is still debated, but it is generally considered to be within the Acanthopterygii, though its exact relationships remain unclear due to limited fossil evidence. The discovery of Pseudichthyidae contributes to our understanding of fish diversity during the Late Cretaceous, a period of significant evolutionary change for marine vertebrates. Further fossil discoveries would be necessary to provide a more complete picture of this extinct fish family and its place in ancient ecosystems.