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Spiky Oreo
Neocyttus rhomboidalis Gilchrist, 1906
A 17cm standard length (glossary) Spiky Oreo trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth between the 804m and 944m in international waters south of Norfolk Island, May 2003 (CSIRO H6054-02). Photo: K. Parkinson © NORFANZ. View larger image.
The Spiky Oreo has a compressed (glossary), rhomboid-shaped body that tapers to a narrow caudal peduncle. The body profile behind the head is concave. This fish has radiating ridges on the operculm and strongly attached ctenoid scales (more information). The mouth is protrusible (glossary).
This species is grey-brown overall with black gill membranes. Its soft dorsal and anal fin membranes are black.
The Spiky Oreo grows to at least 30cm in length.
It is a benthic (glossary) species that is found in marine waters at depths between 300m and 1750m. It occurs in southern temperate waters of Southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
In Australia it is known from temperate southern waters from off the central coast of New South Wales south to southern Tasmania and west to the Great Australian Bight, Western Australia.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Further reading
- Bray, D.J. 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.
- Last, P.R., E.O.G. Scott & F.H. Talbot. 1983. Fishes of Tasmania. Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority. Pp. 563.
