centrolophid

Centrolophidae is a family of perciform ray-finned fish, commonly known as medusafishes. They are characterized by their elongated, compressed bodies and a single, continuous dorsal fin. The family contains at least 11 species in five genera, although the exact number of species is subject to ongoing taxonomic research. These fish are found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide, primarily in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones, meaning they inhabit the twilight and midnight zones of the ocean.

Medusafishes are typically solitary and pelagic, meaning they live in the open ocean rather than near the seabed or coast. Their diet consists mainly of small fish and crustaceans. The largest species, Centrolophus niger, can reach lengths of up to 1.5 meters. Despite their relatively wide distribution, centrolophids are not a significant target for commercial fisheries, although some species are occasionally caught as bycatch.

Reproduction in centrolophids is not well-understood, but it is believed to involve external fertilization. The larvae are planktonic and drift in the upper layers of the ocean before descending to deeper waters as they mature. The family name, Centrolophidae, is derived from the Greek words "kentron" meaning spur and "lophos" meaning crest, referring to the spiny rays in their dorsal fin.