Revised 22 Oct. 2025
PDF version (illustrated)

Bathysaurus Günther 1878 bathýs (βαθύς), deep, referring to deep-sea habitat of both species (up to 4361 m in B. mollis); saurus, from saúra (σαύρα), lizard, but here likely referring to its similar body shape to the synodontid genus Saurus (=Saurida)

Bathysaurus ferox Günther 1878 Latin for fierce or ferocious, probably referring to its enormous mouth, filled with multiple series of long, needle-like teeth

Bathysaurus mollis Günther 1878 Latin for soft, probably referring to its adipose fin, which B. ferox lacks