Theodore's Threadfin Bream, Nemipterus theodorei Ogilby, 1916

Scientific name: Nemipterus theodorei
Alternative name/s:
Theodore's Butterfly Bream
Nemipterus theodorei Click to enlarge image
A 34 cm long Theodore's Threadfin Bream caught at a depth of 35 m, 5 km off Urunga, northern New South Wales, June 2005. Image: W. Tyson
© W. Tyson

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Nemipterus
    Species
    theodorei
    Family
    Nemipteridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to at least 20 cm in standard length.

Introduction

Theodore's Threadfin Bream is endemic to Australia. It is usually found on sandy and muddy seabeds in coastal and offshore waters in depth from 20 m to 120 m.

Identification

Theodore's Threadfin Bream is a moderately elongate fish with a long-based dorsal fin and a strongly forked caudal fin. The body is pinkish-mauve above and white below. There are five or six greenish-yellow stripes on the side of the body and a red spot beneath the origin of the lateral line. The iris is red and the cheek has a golden tinge.

It was described by past Australian Museum Fish Curator James Ogilby in 1916.

Habitat

Theodore's Threadfin Bream is usually found on sandy and muddy seabeds in coastal and offshore waters in depth from 20 m to 120 m.

Distribution

It is endemic to Australia, occurring from northern Queensland to 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. 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.
  2. Russell, B.C. 1990. Nemipterid fishes of the world. (Threadfin breams, whiptail breams, monocle breams, dwarf monocle breams, and coral breams). Family Nemipteridae. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of nemipterid species known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis. 12(125): 1-149.