Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Scomberesocidae

Scomberesocidae

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CAAB: 37236000

Family SCOMBERESOCIDAE

Billfish, King Gars, Saury


Compiler and date details

22 October 2016 - Dianne J. Bray, John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates & Douglass F. Hoese

John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates & Dianne J. Bray

Introduction

The Scomberesocidae were revised most recently by Hubbs & Wisner (1980), who recognised four monotypic genera from subtropical and warm temperate waters. Collette et al. (1984) and Collette (2004) recognised only two genera. One species is known from Australian waters.

King gars are marine fishes of the open ocean, where they feed on plankton. They have elongate bodies, jaws lengthened into slender, fragile beaks (reduced or absent in some non-Australian species) and posterior dorsal and anal fins followed by 4–7 finlets. Two of the non-Australian species are dwarfs, not exceeding 12.6 cm. Maximum size for the family is 35 cm.

 

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)
29-Mar-2018 BELONIFORMES 21-Oct-2016 MODIFIED Dr Dianne Bray (NMV) Dr Doug Hoese (AM) Dr Matthew Lockett (AM)
12-Feb-2010 (import)