Animal Species:Allied Halosaur, Aldrovandia affinis (Günther, 1877)

Alternative Name/s

Gilbert's Halosaur

Identification

The Allied Halosaur has an elongate body and an attenuate tail. It has a pointed snout that extends well in front of the mouth. There is a single short based dorsal fin and a long based anal fin that extends to the end of the tail. The body is scaled, with enlarged scales along the lateral line. The top of the head has no scales.

Size range

55 cm

Distribution

It occurs worldwide.  In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Allied Halosaur specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species occurs in tropical marine waters at continental slope depths.

Feeding and Diet

Allied Halosaurs feed on polychaetes, amphipods and other small benthic invertebrates.

Classification

Species:

affinis

Genus:

Aldrovandia

Family:

Halosauridae

Order:

Notacanthiformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Smith, D. G. 1999. Halosauridae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 3. Batoid fishes, chimaeras and bony fishes part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-vi, 1398-2068.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 17 May 2013

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Allied Halosaur, Aldrovandia affinis, Halosauridae, Gilbert's Halosaur, long and skinny, continental slope, attenuate tail, pointed snout, tropical water, marine,