Lampriformes and the Giant Oarfish

The order Lampriformes is largely catagorized by morphological features. Fishes in this order have a Mesethmoid bone posterior to their lateral ethmoids, an elongated premaxilla, their first dorsal pterygiphore insterts anterior to their first neural spine and have the absence of a platine prong. Oarfish, Lampris and apahs are all examples of Lampriformes. The giant orfish, of the family Regalecidae is known as the king of the herrings. This fish is a very elongate and slab sided. The giant oarfish has a tube shaped mouth, which it uses to suck in its prey. Furthermore it has a very large eye and red fins. The most notable feature of the Giant Oarfish is its crownlike spines on the top of its head, which are fused with its dorsal fin and follows the entire length of its body. The Giant Oarfish is a very large fish and can reach up to 11 meters in length. Its body stays ridgid as it swims, but sends sin waves down its long dorsal fin to propell itself. There is a notable absence of scales on the oarfish as well.