A lantern fish example (Gonichthys) image can be found on page 127 of the Paxton Encyclopedia of Fishes. This image shows a fish that could be compared to a minnow in shape. Paxton observes that small crustaceans are main food items. Some species migrate vertically from great depths to near the surface to find food.

The lanternfish (Myctophidae) is a very large and very successful family of deep sea fish. There are over 250 species. Most species do not attain lengths over 14 inches. These fish are unusual because of their light organs, and then they are typical as they remind one of minnows.

Paxton in his Encyclopedia of Fishes points out that this group of fish comprises a very high percentage of the global mass of fishes. He estimates over 600 million tons of these fish exist. Efforts are in their beginning stages to learn how to harvest these fish for commercial uses. These fish have a very high oil content.

The lizard and lancet fish order (Myctophiformes or sometimes called Aulopiformes if you exclude the Myctophide and Neoscopelidae families) contains several families that are generally found in marine waters. The familes include:
Alepisauridae - Lancetfish
Anotopteridae - Daggertooths
Aulopidae - Like Liazrd Fish
Bathysauridae - Deep Sea Lizardfish
Chlorophthalmidae - Greeneyes
Evenmannellidae - Sabertooth Fish
Giganturidae - Telescopefish
Harpadontidae - Bombay Ducks
Ipnopidae - Includes tripod fish and relatives
Myctophidae - Lantern Fish
Neoscopelidae - Lantern Fish Allies
Paralepididae - Barracudinas
Scopelarchidae - Pearleyes
Synodontidae - Lizardfish


Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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