Berycidae

Berycidae is a small family of deep-sea fishes, related to the squirrelfishes. The family includes the alfonsinos and the nannygais.

Berycids are found in both temperate and tropical waters around the world, between 10 and 1300 m in depth, though mainly greater than 100 m. They are typically red in colour, and measure up to 1 m in length. Distinguishing features include spiny scales and large eyes and mouths.

The earliest fossils are of Centroberyx from the Paleocene, though potential earlier records are known from the Campanian.