ANIMAL SPECIES:Banded Driftfish, Psenes arafurensis (Günther, 1889)
The Banded Driftfish is a compressed, deep bodied fish found in most tropical marine waters swimming amongst Jelly fish or under floating weeds.
Alternative Names/s
The Banded Driftfish is also known as the Arafura Eyebrowfish and Dusky Driftfish.Identification
The Banded Driftfish has a compressed body, a small mouth and a deeply notched dorsal fin. Juveniles are silvery with indistinct dark bands. Adults are silver grey with thin stripes.
Size range
The species grows to 23 cm in length.Distribution
It occurs worldwide in tropical marine waters.
In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and off northern Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Banded Driftfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
Juveniles are often seen in coastal waters swimming with jellyfishes. Adults have been observed under floating weeds, but are probably benthopelagic.
Classification
- Species:
- arafurensis
- Genus:
- Psenes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
Further Reading
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Last, P.R. 2001. Nomeidae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 6. Bony Fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes and marine mammals. FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-v, 3381-4218.
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A Banded Driftfish swimming below a jellyfish View full size
Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw
A Banded Driftfish at North West Solitary Island View full size
Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw
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