Family DINEMATICHTHYIDAE

A family of live-bearing ophidiiform fishes with the following diagnostic characters: male copulatory organ with penis and 1–2 (rarely 3) pairs of pseudoclaspers in cavity of ventral body wall covered by fleshy hood. Caudal fin free, not fused with dorsal and anal fins. First anal fin pterygiophore slightly to strongly elongated. Head pore system generally not reduced, 6 mandibular, 2–4 preopercular, 5–7 infraorbital and 3–4 supraorbital pores, including supraorbital pore above opercular spine. Posteriormost supraorbital head pore tubular. Vertebrae 10–25 + 25–65 = 36– 87, dorsal fin rays 56–191, anal fin rays 40–124, pectoral fin rays 14–28, pelvic fin rays 1, elongate gill rakers 0–7, maximum lengths 22–197 mm SL.