Family EVERMANNELLIDAE

Found throughout the oceanic midwaters in tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.

Sabretooth fishes have been collected down 1000 m, although as adults they usually occur between 400-800 m, possibly migrating towards surface waters to feed at night.

Meristic features: Dorsal-fin rays 10-13; Anal-fin rays 26-37; Pectoral-fin rays 11-13; Pelvic-fin rays 9; Caudal-fin (principal rays) 1+9+8+1; Branchiostegal rays 8: Vertebrae 45-54.

Moderately elongate, strongly compressed fishes. Head large, massive, mouth very large, jaws extending far behind eye, lower jaw deep and massive; some teeth as enormous prominent fangs, barbed or unbarbed, in lower jaw and roof of mouth, upper jaw teeth small; eye small in one species, larger, semi-tubular or tubular and directed dorsolaterally or dorsally in others; gill rakers only on lower 2nd arch; upper and lower muscle masses on rear of body separated by distinct 3rd midlateral muscle band that is externally visible, normal scales absent, skin smooth, delicate; centre of high short-based dorsal fin just forward of middle of back, prominent adipose dorsal fin posteriorly, moderately long-based anal fin just before tail, caudal fin deeply forked, pectoral fins prominent, pelvic fins ventral inserted under dorsal fin; lateral line midlateral on side, poorly developed.

Body overall dark brownish, with a brassy greenish to brownish iridescence, and often with visibly spotted with darker melanophores.