Longtail Dottyback, Oxycercichthys veliferus (Lubbock, 1980)

Scientific name: Oxycercichthys veliferus
Alternative name/s:
Sailfin Dottyback
Longtail Dottyback, Oxycercichthys veliferus Click to enlarge image
A Longtail Dottyback at a depth of 10 m, 'Pixie Gardens', Ribbon Reef #9, Great Barrier Reef off Cooktown, Queensland, 24 June 2002. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Oxycercichthys
    Species
    veliferus
    Family
    Pseudochromidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 12 cm in length.

Introduction

The Longtail Dottyback can be recognised by its lanceolate tail and colouration. The species is endemic to Australia.

Identification

The Longtail Dottyback can be recognised by its lanceolate tail and colouration. Males are grey to yellowish. The top of the head is blue and there is a dark spot at the front of the dorsal fin. Females and juveniles are purplish to pinkish. The top of the head and front of the dorsal fin are yellowish.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia, occurring on coral reefs from the northern to southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  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.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.