- ribbonfish
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/rib"euhn fish'/, n., pl. (esp. collectively) ribbonfish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) ribbonfishes.1. any of several marine fishes of the families Trachipteridae, Regalicidae, and Lophotidae, having a long, compressed, ribbonlike body.2. any of several related fishes, as the oarfish.3. any of several unrelated but similar fishes, as the cutlassfish and jackknife-fish.Also called snakefish.[1785-95; RIBBON + FISH]
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▪ fishany of several species of deep-sea, marine fishes constituting the family Trachipteridae (order Lampridiformes). The family contains three genera: Trachipterus, Desmodema, and Zu. These slender-bodied fishes occur in all the major oceans. The name ribbonfish comes from the laterally compressed, elongate body. Ribbonfishes are further distinguished by their upward-pointing caudal fins and lack of anal fins. The largest of the ribbonfishes, T. arcticus, reaches a length of 2 m (6.5 feet) and is found in cold northern waters.* * *
Universalium. 2010.