Family: MICRODESMIDAE, Worm Gobies, Worm-Fishes
body very elongate, slender
D X-XXVIII, 28-66
lower jaw heavy, protruding
pelvics small, separate, I,3
A 0, 23-61
A 0, 23-61
no LL
FAMILY MICRODESMIDAE
WORM GOBIES, WORM-FISHES
Worm-gobies have slender, very elongate bodies; small eyes on side of head; mouth opens at front or upwards, lower jaw heavy, protruding; jaw teeth in several rows, with canines; gill openings restricted to side; one, continuous, long-based dorsal fin, X-XXVIII flexible spines, 28-66 soft rays; anal fin with long base, 0, 23-61; pelvic fins minute, I, 3 rays; scales smooth to rough, embedded to overlapping to separate; no lateral line.
The family is circumtropical, with five genera and about 30 species. In our region there are 6 species 2 genera; all the species are endemic.
PREPARED BY D ROSS ROBERTSON & JAMES VAN TASSELL, AFTER THACKER (2002)
