The Aulopidae are a small family of aulopiform ray-finned fish.

They are found in most tropical and subtropical oceans, such as the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific.

The aulopids resemble lizardfishes in appearance, and range up to 60 cm (24 in) in length.

They have large dorsal fins, the first ray of which is greatly extended.

[4] The earliest known member of the group is Nematonotus from the Cenomanian of Lebanon.