Ribbon Fishes

a family of deep water fishes. They have long, narrow, tape-like bodies several feet in length, a few inches high, and about one inch in width. The back fin runs the entire length of the body. The mouth is small. Despite their shape, they are allied to the mackerels. They are found in deep sea water all over the world, but are so delicate and fragile that it is difficult to obtain a perfect specimen. Not infrequently their mutilated bodies are thrown ashore after storms.