Family TRACHIPTERIDAE

Trachipteridae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

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Introduction

Worldwide, the Trachipteridae comprise three genera with 10 species (Olney 1999), or 11 species (Eschmeyer 2011, Nelson et al 2016). In Australian waters, three species from these genera have been recorded.

Ribbonfishes or dealfishes are pelagic in the open ocean. They reportedly feed on fishes, squid and crustaceans. All species undergo considerable allometric growth and remarkable ontogenetic changes between larval stages and adulthood. The body is long and compressed and tapers from a large head to a narrow caudal peduncle. The dorsal fin is long, extending almost the entire length of the body, the anal fin is generally absent and only the elongate upper lobe of the caudal fin is present in most species. The mouth is very protrusible. Maximum length for the family is 2.1 m.

The ribbonfishes have been partly reviewed by Walters & Fitch (1960), Palmer (1961), Fitch (1964) and Rosenblatt & Butler (1977). Scott (1983) examined the Australian species. Olney (2009) summarised the family and provided a key to species found in the Western Central Pacific. Heemstra & Kannemeyer (1984) reviewed the South African species and provided a key for two species of Trachipterus. Scott's (1983) data indicated that both species may be in Australian waters. Both are now known form Australia. We follow names recognised by Stewart (2015).

General References

Eschmeyer, W.N. 2011. Catalog of Fishes. Online version updated 29 March 2011. http://research.calacademy.org/redirect?url=http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/Ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp

Fitch, J.E. 1964. The ribbon fishes (family Trachipteridae) of the eastern Pacific Ocean, with a description of a new species. California Fisheries and Game 50(4): 228-240 figs 1-5

Heemstra, P.C. & Kannemeyer, S.X. 1984. The families Trachipteridae and Radiicephalidae (Pisces, Lampriformes) and a new species of Zu from South Africa. Annals of the South African Museum 94(2): 13-39 figs 1-11

Nelson, J.S., Grande, T.C. & Wilson, M.V.H. 2016. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons 5, 752 pp.

Olney, J.E. 1999. Families Veliferidae, Lamprididae, Stylephoridae, Lophotidae, Radiicephalidae, Trachipteridae, Regalecidae. pp. 1966-1975 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068.

Palmer, G. 1961. The dealfishes (Trachipteridae) of the Mediterranean and north-east Atlantic. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Historical Series 7(7): 335-352 fig. 1 pl. 62

Rosenblatt, R.H. & Butler, J.L. 1977. The ribbonfish genus Desmodema with the description of a new species (Pisces : Trachipteridae). Fishery Bulletin (U.S.) 75(4): 843-855 figs 1-8

Scott, E.O.G. 1983. Observations on some Tasmanian fishes. Part 29. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 117: 167-202 figs 1-6 pls 1-3

Stewart, A.L. 2015. Families Veliferidae, Lampridae, Lophotidae, Trachipteridae, Regalecidae. pp. 682-697 in Roberts, C.D., Stewart, A.L. & Struthers, C.D. The Fishes of New Zealand. Wellington : Te Papa Press Vol. 3 pp. 577-1152.

Walters, V. & Fitch, J.E. 1960. The families and genera of the lampridiform (Allotriognath) suborder Trachipteroidei. California Fisheries and Game 46(4): 441-451

Common Name References

Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [431] (Dealfishes, Ribbonfishes)

Olney, J.E. 1999. Families Veliferidae, Lamprididae, Stylephoridae, Lophotidae, Radiicephalidae, Trachipteridae, Regalecidae. pp. 1966-1975 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1973] (FAO) (Ribbonfishes)

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