Salangidae

Icefishes or noodlefishes
Salanx chinensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Osmeriformes
Family: Salangidae
Genera

Hemisalanx
Neosalangichthys
Neosalanx
Protosalanx
Salangichthys
Salanx

Icefishes or noodlefishes are a family, the Salangidae, of osmeriform fish, related to the smelts. They are found in freshwater environments in East and Southeast Asia, although a few species are anadromous (e.g., Salangichthys microdon), spending most of their lives in coastal waters, and only visiting fresh water to spawn.

They have translucent or transparent bodies, and lack any scales. The head is strongly depressed and has numerous teeth. The adults are believed to be neotenic, retaining some larval features. For example, the skeleton is not fully ossified, consisting largely of cartilage.[1] They are small fish, typically around 8 cm (3.1 in), with the largest species reaching only 16 cm (6.3 in).[2]

Icefish is eaten in East Asia after being dried or cooked.

References

  1. ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2008). "Salangidae" in FishBase. December 2008 version.
  2. ↑ McDowell, Robert M. (1998). Paxton, J.R.; Eschmeyer, W.N., eds. Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 117. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
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