- Neovespicula depressifrons
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Neovespicula depressifrons Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Scorpaeniformes Family: Tetrarogidae Genus: Neovespicula Species: N. depressifrons Binomial name Neovespicula depressifrons
Richardson, 1848Neovespicula depressifrons or leaf goblinfish is a species a waspfish that is found in coastal habitats of the Indo-West Pacific region.[1]
Contents
Taxonomy
Neovespicula depressifrons is the sole member of the genus Neovespicula.[2] Synonyms include Apistes depressifrons and Vespicula depressifrons[3]
Despite being traded as an aquarium fish under a variety of (somewhat misleading) common names including dusky panther goby and butterfly goby.[4] this fish is not a goby;[1] it is in fact a member of the waspfish family Tetrarogidae within the suborder Scorpaenoidei.[1]
Morphology
Neovespicula depressifrons is a small species, reaching a maximum size of 10 cm.[1] It is similar to the bullrout in shape and colouration; mottled brown with a distinctive light stripe running along the dorsal surface from the nose and along the back of the fish[4] It has two dorsal fins, the first being notably taller than the second.[4]
Distribution
Neovespicula depressifrons has been reported from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.[1]
Ecology
Like other waspfish, Neovespicula depressifrons is a stealthy predator that feeds on various small fish and invertebrates.[5] Also in common with other waspfish, Neovespicula depressifrons is equipped with venomous spines.[5] Neovespicula depressifrons is a euryhaline species that may be found in salt water, brackish water and freshwater environments.[1]
Commercial importance
It is of no commercial importance but sometimes gets traded as an aquarium fish.[1]
Aquarium maintenance
Under aquarium conditions Neovespicula depressifrons needs to be kept in a tropical brackish water aquarium. Invertebrates live foods are recommended as being safer and healthier than feeder fish. It is active by day and quite easy to look after.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2007). "Neovespicula depressifrons" in FishBase. December 2007 version.
- ^ "Catalog of Fishes". California Academy of Sciences. http://research.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatget.asp?genid=10677. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
- ^ "Synonyms of Neovespicula depressifrons (Richardson, 1848)". Fishbase. http://www.fishbase.se/Nomenclature/SynonymsList.php?ID=11767&SynCode=151601&GenusName=Neovespicula&SpeciesName=depressifrons. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
- ^ a b c d "Butterfly-goby Waspfish". Neale Monks. http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/Projects/FAQ/4k.html. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
- ^ a b Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2007). "Tetrarogidae" in FishBase. Aug 2007 version.
Categories:- Tetrarogidae
- Fish of Indonesia
- Fish of the Philippines
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