Silverside, Argentina australiae Cohen, 1958

Scientific name: Argentina australiae
Alternative name/s:
Deepsea Smelt
Silverside, <i>Argentina australiae</i> Click to enlarge image
A Silverside trawled at a depth of 170m off Sydney, New South Wales by K. Graham on board the FRV Kapala, December 1977. Image: Ken Graham
© Ken Graham/DPI Fisheries

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Argentina
    Species
    australiae
    Family
    Argentinidae
    Order
    Argentiniformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    19 cm

Introduction

The Silverside is a small fish with large eyes and a sliver stripe running along both sides. The species is is endemic to Australia.

Identification

The Silverside has an elongate body with a distinct sliver stripe running along both sides. It has large eyes and a small mouth with the upper jaw slightly longer than the lower.

There are two dorsal fins. The first is short-based and the second is adipose (glossary). The anal fin is small and placed almost adjacent to the caudal fin.

Habitat

The species is found in temperate marine waters. It usually occurs on the continental shelf and slope, in depths ranging from 30 m to 400 m.

Distribution

The Silverside is endemic to Australia. It occurs from off the northern coast of New South Wales to south-eastern Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Glover, C.J.M. in Gomon, M.F, Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.