Anatomy: generally laterally compressed; some are disc-shaped in lateral view, while others are elongated and ribbon-shaped; highly protrusible jaws; long dorsal fin which tends to extend along most of the length of the body; tiny or no scales; reduced or absent gas bladder; often have bright red fins
Diet: squid, krill, small fish
Habitat: pelagic (open ocean) waters 100–1000 m deep
Evolved in: Late Cretaceous
Do you have a favorite in Lampriformes?
One or more of my favorite animals is in Lampriformes
I love at least one or more of these animals
I like at least one or more of these animals
I am neutral about all of these animals
I dislike all of these animals
Voting ended onJul 13, 2025
Propaganda under the cut:
The Giant Oarfish (Regalecus glesne) (image 1) is the longest living Actinopterygiian, reaching up to 17 m (56 ft) in length. Giant Oarfish are thought to be responsible for some “sea serpent” sightings.
Opahs (image 2) are the only Actinopterygiians known to exhibit whole body endothermy: where all the internal organs are kept at a higher temperature than the surrounding water. Despite being endotherms, Opahs are not considered homeotherms like mammals and birds, because their internal temperature does not remain constant. The large muscles powering the pectoral fins generate most of the Opah’s heat, but these muscles also have special regions that can generate additional heat without contracting. In addition to whole body endothermy, Opahs also exhibit regional endothermy by raising the temperature of their brain and eyes above that of the rest of the body. This may allow their eyes and brains to continue functioning during deep dives into water below 4 °C (39 °F).
It was discovered that 14% of Southern Opahs (Lampris immaculatus) contained plastic pollutants in their digestive tract, which indicates signs of high plastic pollution in the Southwest Atlantic.
Crestfish (family Lophotidae) possess ink sacs that open into their cloacae from which they can produce a cloud of black ink when threatened, similar to some cephalopods.
The Unicorn Crestfish (Eumecichthys fiski) is a little-known crestfish that is so named for the horn-like process projecting forward of its eyes. The species is almost as rare as its namesake, and very little is known about it.
The ribbonfish Trachipterus ishikawae is commonly called "earthquake fish" in Taiwan because the fish are popularly believed to appear following major earthquake events. Records of such appearances were made following a 100-year earthquake in Hengchun in late 2006 and in Taitung in 2007, as well as the numerous March 2011 sightings along the coast of Japan. However, recorded sightings do not always correspond with seismic disturbances.
everything that is ingested by this lovable butterfinger is converted purely into more body length and nothing else. as a result of this they are impressively stupid but also majestically long....so long infact that the long is starting to come out of their face!
however sometimes as a treat they'll use spare nutrients to produce a gross black ink they expel when scared
shlompiness rating: MY BODY IS A MACHINE
source
this is the best lampriforme fish because it has everything
Lampriformes. This order is made up of opahs (also known as moonfish or sunfish) and their relatives, such as oarfish, crestfishes, and ribbonfishes
Stomiiformes. This order is made up of deep-sea fishes. It includes dragonfishes, loosejaws, viperfishes, and bristlemouths, the most populated family of vertebrates, with population numbering in the hundreds of trillions to quadrillions.
