Ophidiinae

Ophidiinae is a subfamily of the cusk eel family Ophidiidae. The species in the subfamily are characterised by having their pelvic fins situated far forward on the body and supported by a forward orientated extension of the pelvic girdle,^[2] they lack barbels on the mouth and chin and they are covered in small cycloid scales arranged in horizontal or diagonal rows. Some species have a modified swim bladder and the anterior vertebrae which enables them to generate sounds. and some of these modifications are sexually dimorphic and make the fish capable of generating sound.^[3] They have two rays in each ventral fin and the caudal fin has 9 rays. Most species are benthic and occur on the continental shelf.^[4]

Ophidiinae
Ophidion barbatum, Sardinia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Ophidiiformes
Family:	Ophidiidae
Subfamily:	Ophidiinae Rafinesque, 1810[1]

Genera

The following genera are classified under the Ophidiinae:^[5]

• Cherublemma Trotter, 1926
• Chilara Jordan & Evermann, 1896
• Genypterus Philippi, 1857
• Lepophidium Gill, 1895
• Ophidion Linnaeus, 1758
• Otophidium Gill, 1885
• Parophidion Tortonese, 1954
• Raneya Robins, 1961