Family: LAMPRIDAE, Opah
deep, v compressed oval
D&A retract into grooves
pectoral high, base horizontal
pelvics under pectoral base
pelvics under pectoral base
FAMILY LAMPRIDAE
OPAH
A large fish (to 185 cm and 275 kg); body a deep, compressed oval; mouth small and without teeth; dorsal and anal fins long-based, both retractable into a deep groove, the dorsal with a high front lobe; pectoral fin high on sides, with horizontal base, long, narrow and curved; pelvics large, on lower rim of body, under rear of pectoral base; body covered with small, smooth scales; lateral line high on side, with a strong arch over pectoral.
A worldwide family with 1 genus and five species.
PREPARED BY D ROSS ROBERTSON, AFTER COLLETTE (2002)
