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Ribbon Barracudina
Arctozenus risso (Bonaparte, 1840)
Above and below: A Ribbon Barracudina trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth between the surface and 1275 m in international waters south of Norfolk Island, 12 May 2003 (NMNZ P38961). Photo: M. McGrouther © NORFANZ. View larger image.
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.
It grows to 30 cm in length.
This species occurs 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.
Further reading
- 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.
