Beryciformes are a marine, carnivorous Order of Ray-finned fish which first appeared in the Late Cretaceous and continue to thrive with 161 modern extant species including Soldierfish, Squirrelfish, Pricklefish and Bigscale fishes.

Modern Beryciformes live in Tropical or Temperate environments and are mostly nocturnal, deep sea dwellers. Within the London Clay, there are 3 known genus – Naupygus, Argilloberyx and Paraberyx. Previously Myripristis toliapicus had also been attributed to this order however the only specimen of this species has been shown to be a more common Sciaenurus bowerbanki.

Credit: Photo of Holocentrus rufus observed in Curaçao by Bernd Dietrich)