Manefish, Caristius sp
Click to enlarge image
© G. Millen
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Caristius
- Species
- sp
- Family
- Caristiidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- Manefishes grow to about 60 cm in length.
Introduction
Manefishes typically have a flabby compressed body. They live in temperate marine waters of all oceans except the north-eastern Pacific.
Identification
Manefishes typically have a flabby compressed body and a high dorsal fin. They have short steep snouts and large eyes. The long pelvic fins fold down into a shallow groove. These fishes are pinkish brown to black with black fins.
The manefishes (family Caristiidae) are in need of taxonomic revision. The family is currently believed to contain two genera and at least four species. C. groenlandicus and C. macropusprobably occur in Australian waters, along with one potentially undescribed species.
Habitat
Juveniles are found in epipelagic and mesopelagic depths. Adults occur in mesopelagic and bathypelagic depths.
Distribution
Manefishes occur in temperate marine waters of all oceans except the north-eastern Pacific.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- 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.
- Paxton, J.R. 2001. Caristiidae. 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 5. Bony fishes part 3 (Menidae to Pomacentridae). FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-iv, 2791-3379.
