Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Emmelichthyidae

Emmelichthyidae

Holotype of <I>Plagiogeneion macrolepis</I>

Holotype of Plagiogeneion macrolepis

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CAAB: 37345000

Family EMMELICHTHYIDAE

Bonnetmouths, Red Baitfish, Redbait, Ruby Fish


Compiler and date details

22 January 2012 - Gerald R. Allen, Douglass, F. Hoese & Matthew M. Lockett

December 2006 - Gerald R. Allen

Introduction

The Emmelichthyidae, or bonnetmouths, comprise three genera and 15 species (Nelson 2006). The Australian fauna is currently represented by three genera and five species.

Emmelichthyids occur in all seas, approximately between the latitudes of 40ºN and 40ºS, although they have not yet been reported from the south-western Atlantic and the eastern sides of the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans. They inhabit coastal seas of the continental shelf, occurring near the bottom in depths of 100–500 m. Bonnetmouths are elongate, snapper-like fishes, distinguished from related forms by their upper jaw morphology. They feed mainly on large zooplankton. They are occasionally caught in trawls and by hook and line fishing, but comprise only a small portion of commercial landings. Some species grow to a length of 40–50 cm and are considered to be excellent eating.

Heemstra & Randall (1977) revised the family; subsequently additional species have been described.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
19-Nov-2012 19-Nov-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)