(Genus):Body greatly elongate. Eye small. Two lateral line both inserted below base of first dorsal spine; the upper line along base of dorsal spines, ended below the last spine; the lower line along midlateral line, extending to caudal base. Tip of lower jaw with a conical cartilagious process. Anal fin with three short spines; the 1st spine shorter than the 2nd and both apparently isolated; the 3rd spine in contact with the 1st soft ray. Pelvic fin minute, their rays ?, 4 or ?, 5. Dorsal and anal fins each with 6〜7 fin-lets. Palatine teeth small and weak, uniserial. Vomer without tooth. Skin smooth. Abdomen not keeled. Caudal peduncle without lateral keel. (Species):One species, Gempylus serpens.
Distribution:
Warm waters of Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Type locality-off Martinique Island. (Fujii)