Cryptacanthodes is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the monogeneric family Cryptacanthodidae, commonly referred to as wrymouths.

[2] The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies this family within the suborder Zoarcoidei, within the order Scorpaeniformes.

[6] The currently recognized species in this genus are:[7] Cryptacanthodes have an elongate body which is rounded towards the head and compressed towards the tail..

The large mouth has a projecting lower jaw and is highly oblique, nearly vertical in alignment.

They excavate the soft substrate to create extensive tunnel systems which have many exits.