Orange clinid
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| Orange Clinid | ||||||||||||||
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| Ericentrus rubrus (Hutton, 1872) |
The orange clinid, Ericentrus rubrus, is a weedfish of the genus Ericentrus, found around New Zealand in rock pools and from low water to depths of about 15 m, in reef areas of broken rock and brown seaweed. It is the only member of its genus.
It is very seldom seen but is more common than thought due to its superb camouflage. Its length is between 3 and 10 cm.
The orange clinid is fairly similar to the crested weedfish but the first dorsal fin starts further back. The second dorsal fin is separated from the first but is not perforated as is that of the crested weedfish. The caudal peduncle is long ending in a small fan-like tail.
The usual colouration is a uniform orange-brown with dark brown markings on the head and fins, and dark brown streaks on the back. Other colour variants, including green and red morphs do occur. The common name originates from the colour of specimens stored in alcohol after fixation in formalin.
Orange clinids live exclusively amongst kelp fronds and other seaweeds. Like all other members of the family orange clinids are live bearers. Their food is small kelp-living crustaceans.
[edit] References
- Ericentrus rubrus (TSN 638488). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 11 March 2006.
- "Ericentrus rubrus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 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
