The Combfish Family – Zaniolepididae

There are currently THREE members of the Combfish or Zaniolepididae Family, all from the Pacific Ocean, presented in this website:

FROM THE PACIFIC (3):

The Combfish and the Painted Greenling are now both considered to be members of the Zaniolepididae Family. Historically they were placed in the Hexagrammidae Family but were reclassified into the Zaniolepididae Family by W. Leo Smith and Morgan S. Busby, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 79, 332-353 (2014). The Combfishes are named after the comb-like ctenoid scales that cover their body. The Family includes three species placed in these two genera, all of which are  included here in. All three are found within Mexican waters along the Central and Northwest Coasts of the Baja.

The Zaniolepididae’s are all deep-water fishes found at depths up to 420 m (1,380 feet). They are small with the largest one having a maximum length of 31 cm (12 inches). The one member of the Oxylebius Genus, the Painted Greenling, has an elongated slender body that is grayish brown with 5 to 7 red or reddish-brown bars on their sides that extend into the fins. Their dorsal fin is divided by a shallow notch between the spinous and soft-rayed portions. They have seven dark vertical bands on their sides. Their anal fin has 3 or 4 long spines; their caudal fin is rounded; and their pelvic fins are of moderate length but do not reach the anus. Their head has one flesh cirrus above each eye and a pair on the occiput. Their head is covered with scales. The two members of the Zaniolepis Genus, the Longspine Combfish and the Shortspine Combfish, have elongated slender compressed bodies. They have a deep notch between the spinous and soft-rayed portions of their dorsals fins. They are tan or pink dorsally with darker diffuse markings transitioning to white ventrally. Their heads are relatively short with a sharply pointed snout having a small terminal mouth with the eye set high on the head. Their anal fin has 3 spines and 15 to 17 rays with a long base; their caudal fin is square or slightly rounded; their first dorsal fin has 21 or 22 spines with a long base, their second dorsal fin has 11 or 12 rays; their pectoral fin has 14 rays; and their pelvic fins are of moderate length. They are covered with small ctenoid scales and are rough to the touch. They have a prominent lateral line set high on the body.  Zaniolepididae are benthic species that are found from the intertidal zone over mud and cobble, and pebble bottoms. They feed on amphipods, copepods, isopods, polychaetes, shrimps and fish eggs. In turn they are preyed upon by various sea birds, sea lions, and various fishes. In turn they are preyed upon by various sea birds, sea lions, and various fishes. Reproduction is via batch spawning. They have life spans of seven to eight years. The Zaniolepididae are poorly studied with very limited information available about their lifestyle and behavioral patterns including specific details on age, growth, longevity, movement patterns, diet, habitat use, and reproduction.