Bandfish

Band-fish, the popular name of any fish of the genus Cepola, constituting a family of Blenniiform Acanthopterygian fishes. Body very elongated, compressed, and covered with minute cycloid scales; there is one very long dorsal fin, which, as well as the anal, is composed of soft rays; ventral fins thoracic of one spine and five rays; eyes large; lower jaw frequently the longer. They are serpentiform marine fishes, of delicate structure, 15 to 20 inches long, belonging chiefly to the north temperate zone, and in the Indian Ocean extending southward to Penang. One species, C. rubescens, is European, common in the Mediterranean (where, from its red colour, it is known as the Red Riband and the Fire-flame), and sometimes occurring on the British coast. Band-fishes are said to feed on seaweed and small crustaceans, and are preyed upon by cod. They are valueless as food fish.