The crested bandfish (Lophotus guntheri) is a species of crestfish in the family Lophotidae. It has a long string-like body, with large eyes, a red dorsal fin, elongated leading rays, and a short anal fin near the caudal fin. It grows up to 2 metres in length.[2]
| Crested bandfish | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Lampriformes |
| Family: | Lophotidae |
| Genus: | Lophotus |
| Species: | L. guntheri
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| Binomial name | |
| Lophotus guntheri Johnston, 1883
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Etymology edit
The species was presumably named for Albert Günther, an ichthyologist at the British Museum (Natural History).[3] In his formal description, Johnston named the species guntheri, although the correct spelling for species named after Günther is guentheri.[3] The species' common names include the crested bandfish, crestfish, unicorn fish and unicorn ribbon-fish.[A][3]
Distribution and ecology edit
The crested bandfish is a marine pelagic species, found at depths up 90 metres,[3] although it may occur at depths up to 300 metres.[1] The species has been found in four locations in the western Pacific: in Australia, near Emu Bay, Tasmania and off the New South Wales coast; Johnston Atoll; and southwestern Taiwan.[1] However, its true distribution is likely wider than this.[1] The species' diet comprises cephalopods and small fish.[3] It has an ink sac, which may be used as a defence mechanism when it encounters danger.[2]
Conservation edit
Very little is known about the crested bandfish, although specimens have been reported to wash ashore following storms.[3] The crested bandfish has been evaluated as "Least Concern" for the IUCN Red List.[1]
References edit
Notes edit
Citations edit
- ^ a b c d e J. Moore (2019) Lophotus guntheri IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2019: e.T123374956A123376508. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
- ^ a b "Crested Bandfish, Lophotus guntheri Johnston, 1883". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dianne J. Bray (2020) Lophotus guentheri Fishes of Australia. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
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