Seven new fish species have been found so far on the Pacific and Atlantic hydrothermal vents: the synaphobranchid Thermobiotes mytilogeiton; the zoarcid Thermarces cerberus and Pachycara thermophilum; the bythitid Bythites hollisi; the cyclopterid Careproctus hyaleius; one zoarcid fish; and one ophidiid fish. The characteristics of the 70 specimens collected, and their location in French and American museums, are listed. The results and observations made on vent fishes and fishes living around the periphery of the vents observed during recent dives (especially along the East Pacific Rise between 17 and 19 degrees S, the North Fiji Basin Rise and the Mid Atlantic Rise) are summarized. Previous literature on vent fishes is reviewed.