Longfin boarfish

Taxobox
name = Longfin boarfish


image_caption = Photo by Ian Skipworth
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Pentacerotidae
genus = "Zaclistius"
species = "Z. elevatus "
binomial = "Zaclistius elevatus "
binomial_authority = (Ramsay and Ogilby, 1888)

The longfin boarfish, "Zaclistius elevatus", is an armorhead of the genus "Zaclistius", found around southern Australia and New Zealand, at depths of between 30 and 500 m. Its length is between 25 and 30 cm.

The longfin boarfish has a high, laterally compressed body with a high sail-like dorsal fin rising from the back of the arched back. There is a protruding bump above the eye and the tubular snout ends in a small mouth. Bony plates protect the head and the long, strong spines on the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins make any predator's attack on this fish difficult.

The colour is a pale silver-grey with a few broad, darker grey vertical bars. The fins are grey with a faint blue tinge and there is a large black spot on the hind part of the soft rayed dorsal fin. The jaws are lined with bands of fine conical teeth, the front row of which are curved and bent inwards. The long snout enables this fish to probe in cracks and crevices for the crustaceans, echinoderms, and worms which make up the bulk of its diet. The lofty dorsal fin gives stability and assists in precision picking of its food from difficult crevices.

References

*
* Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, "Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand", (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
* Wade Doak, "A Photographic Guide to Sea Fishes of New Zealand", (New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 2003) ISBN 1-877246-95-6