Trichodontidae

fish family

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July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

The family Trichodontidae consists of small, scaleless marine fishes known as sandfishes. These fish are characterized by their vertical mouths and fringed lips. They often lie partially buried in the sand. The family includes two genera: Trichodon and Arctoscopus. Members of the Arctoscopus genus are consumed in Japan. Trichodontidae are a family of elongate, compressed, scaleless, large-eyed fishes.12

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perciform
Annotated classification
Family Trichodontidae (sandfishes) Resemble codfishes, but eyes high on side of head; mouth large, oblique; lips fringed; pectoral fins with long base extending forward past pelvic fins. 2 species; marine; North Pacific; to 25 cm (10 inches). Family Pholidichthyidae (convict-blennies
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Family Trichodontidae (sandfishes) Resemble codfishes, but eyes high on side of head; mouth large, oblique; lips fringed; pectoral fins with long base extending forward past pelvic fins. 2 species; marine; North Pacific; to 25 cm (10 inches). Family Pholidichthyidae (convict-blennies
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sandfish
…Pacific sandfishes of the family Trichodontidae (order Perciformes) have vertical mouths and fringed lips. Often, they lie partly buried. There are two genera, Trichodon and Arctoscopus; members of the latter genus are eaten in Japan.
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…Pacific sandfishes of the family Trichodontidae (order Perciformes) have vertical mouths and fringed lips. Often, they lie partly buried. There are two genera, Trichodon and Arctoscopus; members of the latter genus are eaten in Japan.
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