Stomiidae(Barbeled dragonfishes) 28 genera 287 species. Distribution: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They are quite small, usually around 15 cm, up to 26 cm. A very diverse group of elongate deep-sea predators with rows of light organs or photophores along the lower sides of the body. Photophores without ducts or lumen. No true gill rakers in adults; one infraorbital bone; one or no supramaxillaries; mesopterygoid reduced in size or absent. A chin barbel in most usually tipped with a bioluminescent lure. Stomiids not have the pectoral girdle separated from the skull. They not have a flexible connection between the occiput and the first vertebra. Pectoral fin rays absent in Tactostoma, Idiacanthus, and Photostomias. Large jaws with prominent canine and sometimes fang-like teeth. The dragonfishes open their mouths very wide, allowing them to swallow large prey items. Most are darkish in color.
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