Gapers

Distribution: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. With large balloon-shaped flabby inflatable bodies; the rough louse skin is covered with small spine-like scales. The mouth is large and nearly vertical with small teeths in bands on the jaws, vomer, and palatines. First dorsal spine bearing a bait or esca that fits into a scaleless U-shaped depression (illicial cavity) on the snout; second and third dorsal spines invisibly embedded behind first; 10-12 dorsal soft rays; anal fin with 5-7 rays; pelvics with 1 spine and 4 soft-rays; pectorals arm-like. Gill opening behind and above pectoral fin base. Lateral lines are open canals especially conspicious on the head, protected by enlarged spiny scales on either side of the canal. Species inhabit continental slopes in all oceans.