Limnichthys rendahli

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iLimnichthys rendahli
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Creediidae
Genus: Limnichthys
Species: L. rendahli
Binomial name
Limnichthys rendahli
Parrott, 1958

Limnichthys rendahli is a sandburrower of the family Creediidae, found only around New Zealand to depths of about 150 m, on sandy or gravelly bottoms. Its length is between 3 and 8 cm.

Limnichthys rendahli is a small cylindrical fish with a pointed snout, a distinctive undershot lower jaw, and small bulbous eyes that swivel independently. They are pale yellow with black markings. The anal fin is slightly longer than the dorsal fin, and both fins are longer than the very similar New Zealand sand diver. They spend much of their time buried in sand or gravel with just the tip of the snout and eyes showing, and if they are disturbed they dart away to rebury themselves at a new site. They move so fast it is almost impossible follow them, and in consequence are hardly ever seen.

[edit] References

  • "Limnichthys rendahli". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. may 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
  • Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8