| Beardfishes | |
|---|---|
| Stout Beardfish, (P. nobilis) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Polymixiiformes Rosen & Patterson, 1969 |
| Family: | Polymixiidae T. N. Gill, 1862 |
| Genus: | Polymixia R. T. Lowe, 1838 |
The beardfishes consist of a single extant genus (Polymixia) in a small family (Polymixiidae) of deep-sea marine ray-finned fish named for their pair of long hyoid barbels. At present they are classified in their own order Polymixiiformes,[1] but as Nelson says, "few groups have been shifted back and forth as frequently as this one".[2] For instance, they have previously been classified as belonging to the Beryciformes. They are of little economic importance.[3]
They are found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian and western Pacific Ocean. They are bottom-dwelling fish, found down to about 800 metres (2,600 ft) depth. Most are relatively small fish, although one species is over 40 centimetres (16 in) in length.[3]
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There are currently 10 recognized species in this genus: [4]
In addition to the extant Polymixia, there are several fossil genera known.

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