1274 
Family NOTACANTHIDAE 
Body somewhat compressed, ends in tapering band like 
tail. Snout projecting. Mouth inferior. Both jaws with 
teeth, lower meets palate. Teeth close set in jaws and on 
palatines. Palatines movable. Sharp spine, mostly hidden 
by fleshy folds of lips at mouth angle* Gill openings wide, 
not restricted above, membranes separate, free from isthmus. 
Gills 4. Gill rakers long, slender. Pseudobranchiae absent 
Ovaries without oviducts. Shoulder girdle loosely suspended 
to skull by ligament. Scales cycloid. Dorsal represented 
by series of short separated spines, jew or no soft rays. 
Anal rays numerous, front ones spinous. 
