Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Diretmidae

Diretmidae

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CAAB: 37254000

Family DIRETMIDAE

Discfishes, Spinyfins


Compiler and date details

24 November 2015 - Dianne J. Bray, John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates & Douglass F. Hoese

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

Introduction

The Diretmidae comprise three genera and four species (Paxton 1999). In Australia, two species in two genera have been recorded.

Spinyfins are meso-bathypelagic to 2100 m; juveniles are epipelagic. These dark silvery fishes have a nearly vertical mouth, very large eyes, a deep compressed body and small spines at the bases of the dorsal and anal fin rays. Juveniles have a smaller eye and deeper body than adults. Maximum size attained is about 40 cm total length.

The spinyfins were reviewed by Post & Quéro (1981), who recognised three species in two genera from tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Kotlyar (1987, 1990) recognised four species in three genera. Watson (1996) described the larvae of one species, and Bray (2008) treated species from Australian waters.

 

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)
06-Jun-2016 BERYCIFORMES 20-May-2016 MODIFIED Dr Dianne Bray (NMV) Dr Doug Hoese (AM) Dr Matthew Lockett (AM)
12-Feb-2010 (import)