Blue fathead
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Blue fathead | ||||||||||||||
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.gif/180px-Cubiceps_caeruleus_(Blue_fathead).gif) Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
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| Cubiceps caeruleus Regan, 1914 |
The blue fathead or cubehead, Cubiceps caeruleus, is a driftfish of the genus Cubiceps, found pelagically in the central and south Pacific and central and south Atlantic Oceans. Its length is between 15 and 25 centimetres.
The uncommon blue fathead is similar in appearance to the flathead mullet, but with a blunter more rounded snout and larger eye. There are two dorsal fins, very long scythe-like pectoral fins , and a scissor shaped caudal fin. Most of the head, gill covers and body are covered with large scales.
Body colour is pale blue-grey, silver tinged on the belly, with a darker blue snout and caudal fin.
[edit] References
- "Cubiceps caeruleus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. April 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
