Ribbon Barracudina, Arctozenus risso (Bonaparte, 1840)

Scientific name: Arctozenus risso
Ribbon Barracuda,<i> Arctozenus risso</i> Click to enlarge image
A Ribbon Barracudina trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth between the surface and 1275m in international waters south of Norfolk Island, 12 May 2003 (NMNZ P38961). Image: Mark McGrouther
© NORFANZ Founding Parties

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Arctozenus
    Species
    risso
    Family
    Paralepididae
    Order
    Aulopiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to 30 cm in length.

Introduction

The Ribbon Barracudina has a long, slender body. It has large eyes and sharp pointed teeth. In Australia the species is known from off the central coast of New South Wales.

Identification

The Ribbon Barracudina has a long, slender body. It has large eyes and sharp pointed teeth. The short-based dorsal fin contains nine or ten rays. The anal fin (28-33 rays) and dorsal adipose fin are positioned well back on the body close to the caudal fin.

The genus Arctozenus can be separated from the other genera in the subfamily Paralepidinae (family Paralepididae) by the position of the pelvic fins (positioned distinctly behind a vertical from the first dorsal fin ray) and the presence of a black area at the base of the anterior anal fin rays.

Distribution

This species is found in mesopelagic depths in tropical and some warm temperate marine waters world-wide. In Australia it is known from off the central coast of New South Wales.

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

  1. Post, A. 1987. Results of the research cruises of FRV "Walther Herwig" to South America. LXVII. Revision of the subfamily Paralepidinae (Pisces, Aulopiformes, Alepisauroidei, Paralepididae). I. Taxonomy, morphology and geographical distribution. Arch. FischWiss. 38(1/2): 75-131.