malacanthidæ

pl. [Mod. Latin mala canth (us); Lat. fem. pl. adj. suff. -idæ.] Ichthy.: A family of Acanthopterygian Fishes. Body elongate, with very small scales; mouth with thick lips; a strong tooth posteriorly on the intermaxillary. Dorsal and anal fins very long, the former with a few simple rays anteriorly; ventrals thoracic, with one spine and five rays. Gill-opening wide, with the gill-membranes united beneath the throat. Ten abdominal and fourteen caudal vertebre. ( Günther .) măl-a-căn-thus, s. a kantha =a spine.] [Greek malos = soft, and Ichthy.: The typical and only genus of the family Mala cant hide (q.v.). Three species are known, all from the tropical seas.