{{Short description|Genus of fishes}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Bathysaurus ferox0.jpg | image_caption = ''Bathysaurus ferox'' | parent_authority = C. C. Baldwin & G. D. Johnson, 1996 | taxon = Bathysaurus | authority = Günther, 1878 | display_parents = 3 | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = | synonyms = ''Macristium'' }} thumb|244px|''Bathysaurus'' use their lower jaw to scoop in the sand
The '''Bathysauridae''' are a small family of deepwater aulopiform fish, related to the telescopefishes. The two species in the family both belong to the genus '''''Bathysaurus'''''. Commonly called '''deepwater lizardfishes''' or '''deepsea lizardfishes''', the latter name usually refers to the species ''B. ferox'' specifically.
Physically, the bathysaurids resemble the lizardfishes, as reflected in their common names. They can be distinguished from the lizardfishes by their flatter heads and curved and barbed teeth. They are moderately sized fish, up to {{convert|78|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length.<ref name=EoF>{{cite book |editor=Paxton, J.R. |editor2=Eschmeyer, W.N.|author1=Johnson, R.K. |author2=Eschmeyer, W.N. |name-list-style=amp |year=1998|title=Encyclopedia of Fishes|publisher= Academic Press|location=San Diego|page= 126|isbn= 0-12-547665-5}}</ref>
Bathysaurids inhabit the deep oceans, below {{convert|1600|m|ft|abbr=on}} depth. They are one of the world's deepest living apex predators, and will not hesitate to eat anything they meet, including their own kind.<ref name=EoF/>
Their larvae were originally believed to represent a distinct genus (''Macristium'') and even family.{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}
The two bathysaurid species, ''Bathysaurus mollis'' and ''Bathysaurus ferox'' are hermaphrodites, meaning they sport both male and female sex organs, but not much is known about their mating and breeding habits due to the great depth the two species live at.
==Species== The currently recognized species in this genus are:<ref>{{FishBase genus | genus = Bathysaurus| month = April | year = 2012}}</ref> * ''Bathysaurus ferox'' <small>Günther, 1878</small> (deepsea lizardfish) * ''Bathysaurus mollis'' <small>Günther, 1878</small> (highfin lizardfish)
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q18549895|from2=Q1354430}}
Category:Aulopiformes Category:Aulopiformes families Category:Monogeneric fish families