ANIMAL SPECIES:A larval basslet, Liopropoma sp
Fishes in the genus Liopropoma are generally very secretive, living in caves or crevices in coral reefs. They are generally small fishes that grow to less than 10 cm in length. Three species of Liopropoma occur in Australian waters. These are the Headband Perch, L. mitratum, Yellow Reef Basslet, L. multilineatum and Pinstripe Reef Basslet, L. susumi.
Identification
Larval Liopropoma have extremely long ornate second and third dorsal fin spines. These spines have balloon-like structures which are held above the fish.
Three species of Liopropoma occur in Australian waters. These are the Headband Perch, L. mitratum, Yellow Reef Basslet, L. multilineatum and Pinstripe Reef Basslet, L. susumi.
Size range
Basslets generally grow to less than 10 cm in length.Habitat
Fishes in the genus Liopropoma are generally very secretive, living in caves or crevices in coral reefs.
Behaviour and adaptations
Other behaviours and adaptations
Why the fish has ornate dorsal fin spines is not certain. The Smithsonian’s ‘Expedition to Galapagos’ website states that “We don’t know the precise function of these structures, but they look very much like a type of colonial jellyfish known as a siphonophore. Perhaps they look enough like them to deter certain potential predators.” Baldwin et al (1991) state that “The elongate filaments could play a role in energy storage by providing space for the assimilation of excess food; however, long, trailing filaments seem an unlikely place for energy storage because they probably are quite vulnerable to predation. In fact, pigmented swellings or other variations in the shape of the filaments could attract predators, distracting them from the body of the larva. The elongate filaments also might function in predator deception by increasing the apparent size of the lava.”
Classification
- Species:
- sp
- Genus:
- Liopropoma
- Family:
- Serranidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Baldwin , C. C, Johnson, G. D. and P. L. Colin. 1991. Larvae of Diploprion bifasciatum, Belonoperca chabanaudi and Grammistes sexlineatus (Serranidae: Epinephelinae) with a comparison of known larvae of other epinephelines. Bulletin of Marine Science 48: 67-93.
- Leis, J.M. and B.M. Carson-Ewart. (editors). 2000. The larvae of Indo-Pacific coastal fishes. An identification guide to marine fish larvae. (Fauna Malesiana Handbooks 2). E.J. Brill, Leiden. Pp. 870.
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A larval basslet caught off Rottnest Island View full size
Barry Hutchins
© Barry Hutchins
Illustration of a larval Basslet View full size
Suzanne Bullock
© Suzanne Bullock
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