Southern Spineback, Notacanthus sexspinis Richardson, 1846

Scientific name: Notacanthus sexspinis
Alternative name/s:
Spineback, Spiny Eel
<i>Notacanthus sexspinis </i> Click to enlarge image
A 32 cm long Southern Spineback trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth of about 1350 m, south-east of Lord Howe Island, 24 May 2003 (CSIRO H6037-03). Image: R. McPhee
© NORFANZ

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Notacanthus
    Species
    sexspinis
    Family
    Notacanthidae
    Order
    Notacanthiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 60 cm in length.

Introduction

The Southern Spineback has an eel-like body. In Australia it is known from off the central New South Wales coast and around the south of the country to south-western Western Australia.

Identification

The Southern Spineback has an eel-like body. It has a single dorsal fin with six to eight short spines and a long-based anal fin that reaches the tip of the tail.

Habitat

It is a benthic species that occurs at depths between 360 m and 1350 m, in temperate marine waters of the southern hemisphere.

Distribution

In Australia it is known from off the central New South Wales coast and around the south of the country to south-western 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. Gomon, M.F. 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.
  3. McDowell, S.B. 1973. Notacanthididae in Fishes of the Western North Atlantic. Part 6: Orders Notacanthiformes, Beryciformes, Stephanoberyciformes and Gadiformes. Sears Foundation for Marine Research, Yale University. Pp. 698.
  4. Smith, D. G. 1999. Notacanthidae. 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 3. Batoid fishes, chimaeras and bony fishes part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-vi, 1398-2068.