Wood's siphonfish
📖 Overview
Benthic species which occurs over soft bottom in coastal embayments and in the lower reaches of estuaries . It is found usually in schools near kelp or seagrass beds of Zostera or Posidonia at depths of 1-10 m .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D1 VI, D2 I,8 (rarely 7 or 9 soft rays); A II,8-9; pectoral fin rays 12-14, unbranched and compressed distally; tubed lateral-line scales 22-23; median predorsal scales 4-5; total gill rakers 4-6 + 14-16, developed gill rakers 1-3 + 13-16 = 15-18; gill rakers on ceratobranchial 9-10; body relatively slender, depth 3.2-4.8 in SL, and body width 1.6-1.8 in the depth; eye diameter 3.2-3.7 in HL; first dorsal spine 1.1-1.3 in second spine; second dorsal spine 2.6-3.6, spine of second dorsal fin 5.1-6.7, and second anal spine 6.0-7.4, all in head length (HL); pectoral-fin length 5.8-6.7 and pelvic-fin length 5.7-6.1 in SL; caudal-peduncle length 1.05-1.4 in distance between pelvic spine insertion and anal-fin origin; preopercular edge and ridge smooth, with the ventral edge weakly ossified and usually slightly crenulate; palatines with 1-3 series of small teeth; first infraorbital pore a complex of about 7 small pores; scales large, mostly ctenoid; tubed lateral-line scales with vertical series of papillae; the tip of light organ on each side of tongue bound by membrane .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Wood's siphonfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Wood's siphonfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Mouthbrooders . Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning . Adults in South Australian waters have been observed brooding eggs in January .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 7 m . Temperate; 25°S - 45°S endemic to southern Australia, from Shark Bay, Western Australia to Byron Bay, New South Wales.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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