Crested weedfish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Crested weedfish | ||||||||||||||
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.jpg/180px-Cristiceps_axillaris_(Discoveries_in_Australia).jpg) Cristiceps axillaris (syn. Cristiceps australis) from John Lort Stokes 1846 Discoveries in Australia
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| Cristiceps australis Valenciennes, 1836 |
The crested weedfish, Cristiceps australis, is a weedfish of the family Clinidae, found around southern Australia in rock pools and from low water to depths of about 30 m, in reef areas of broken rock and seaweed. It is not often seen but is far more common than thought due to its superb camouflage - its coloration is extremely variable and usually matches the seaweed background. Its length is up to 18 cm. The high first dorsal fin is very far forward starting directly above the eyes, giving the fish its common name. The second dorsal fin is separated from the first and has a number of holes in the membrane. The pelvic fin rays are thick and finger-like.
Like all other members of the family crested weedfish are live bearers. Their food is small kelp-living crustaceans and newly settled larval fish.
[edit] References
- Cristiceps australis (TSN 171517). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 24 June 2007.
- "Cristiceps australis". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. April 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
