The opalfish, Hemerocoetes monopterygius, is a duckbill of the genus Hemerocoetes, found only around New Zealand, at depths of between 5 and 200 metres (16 and 656 ft). Their length is between 10 and 25 centimetres (3.9 and 9.8 in).
| Opalfish | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
| |
| An opalfish observed in the Wellington Harbour | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Trachiniformes |
| Family: | Percophidae |
| Genus: | Hemerocoetes |
| Species: | H. monopterygius
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hemerocoetes monopterygius Schneider, 1801
| |
Gallery
edit-
Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling -
An opalfish surrounded by shells
.gif){kind=small}
.jpg)
References
edit- ^ Nelson, J.; Matsuura, K.; Collette, B.; et al. (2017) [errata version of 2010 assessment]. "Hemerocoetes monopterygius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T154636A115215793. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T154636A4594312.en.
- "Hemerocoetes monopterygius". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 18 April 2006.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hemerocoetes monopterygius". FishBase. January 2006 version.
- 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