Xiphisterinae

Xiphisterinae
	Alectridium aurantiacum
Systematics
	Perch relatives (Percomorphaceae)
Order :	Perch-like (Perciformes)
Subordination :	Cottoidei
Partial order :	Eel mother relatives (Zoarcales)
Family :	Spine back (Stichaeidae)
Subfamily :	Xiphisterinae
Scientific name
	Xiphisterinae
	Jordan & Gilbert , 1883

The Xiphisterinae are a subfamily of the fish family of the spiny backs (Stichaeidae) in the partial order of the eel mother relatives (Zoarcales). All species in the group are bottom-dwelling marine fish found in the cool waters of the northern Pacific.

features

The body of the Xiphisterinae is elongated and in most cases slightly higher in front than in the back. The number of vertebrae is 62 to 81. The Xiphisterinae are 8 to 58 cm long. The dorsal fin shows a pronounced gradation; the first rays of the fin are significantly shorter and weaker than the last. The anal fin has one to three fin spines. In all species the pectoral fins are small, in Xiphister they are tiny and smaller than the diameter of the eyes. The number of pectoral fin rays is 9 to 15. Ventral fins are absent or are reduced to a fin spine. Many species, especially those of the Alectriini tribe, show a skin ridge on the top of the head. Cheek flakes are missing. The front ribs are massive.

Genera and species

Anoplarchus insignis

Genus Alectridium
- Alectridium aurantiacum
Genus Anoplarchus
- Anoplarchus insignis
- Anoplarchus purpurescens
Genus Dictyosoma
Genus Esselenichthys
- Esselenichthys carli
- Esselenichthys laurae
Genus Phytichthys

Phytichthys chirus
- Phytichthys chirus
Genus Pseudalectrias
- Pseudalectrias tarasovi
Genus Xiphister
- Xiphister atropurpureus
- Xiphister mucosus

literature

California Academy of Sciences, Catherine W. Mecklenburg, Boris A. Sheiko: Annotated Checklists of Fishes. Family Stichaeidae Gill 1864, pricklebacks. 2004. PDF , ISSN 1545-150X

Web links

Xiphisterinae on Fishbase.org (English)