Gymnodontes.

Body more or less shortened. The bones of the upper and lower jaw are confluent, forming a beak with a trenchant edge, without teeth, with or without median suture. A soft dorsal, caudal, and anal are developed,—approximate. No spinous dorsal. Pectoral fins, no ventrals.

Marine fishes of the temperate and tropical regions. Some species confined to fresh-water.