Which paracanthopterygian fishes are bottom dwellers?

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Many paracanthopterygian fishes are bottom dwellers (benthic). These include:

  • Batrachoidiformes: All members of this order, such as the toadfish and venomous toadfishes, are bottom dwellers.1
  • Gadiformes: Many species in this order are bottom dwellers, including the burbot, deep-sea cods (Moridae), grenadiers (Macrouridae), and eel cods (Muraenolepididae).1
  • Ophidiiformes: Brotulas and cusk eels are primarily bottom dwellers.12
  • Lophiiformes: While some are midwater, others are bottom-associated. Frogfishes use their fins to walk on the bottom, and batfishes are known to walk on the bottom or bury themselves in it.12

These bottom-living forms generally exhibit specific evolutionary adaptations, such as smaller eyes and down-turned mouths, compared to their midwater counterparts.2