ceratiidæ

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. In Gill's system of classification, a family of pediculate fishes, with the branchial apertures in or behind the inferior axillæ of the pectoral fins, the anterior dorsal rays superior, mouth opening more or less upward, lower jaw generally projecting beyond or closing in front of the upper, and pseudobrachia with three actinosts. It is one of the most characteristic of the deep-sea types of fishes, and unusual variation occurs among its representatives.