Bluetail Leatherjacket, Eubalichthys cyanoura (Hutchins, 1987)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Bluetail Leatherjacket, Eubalichthys cyanoura (Hutchins, 1987)

The Bluetail Leatherjacket is found on rocky reefs in inshore temperate waters. It's quite common in South Western Australia but missed due to it's shy nature.

Identification

The Bluetail Leatherjacket can be recognised by its colouration. Adults are greenish to dark brown with dark spots on the head and body. The snout and region above the anal fin are covered with dark brown lines and spots. The membranes of the first dorsal and caudal fins are blue in males and pale in females. The fin rays are greenish. Females and juveniles have a mosaic pattern of large dark blotches.

The species was described by OzFishNet member, Dr Barry Hutchins of the Western Australian Museum. The species name cyanoura comes from the Greek kyanos (meaning dark blue) and oura (tail) and refers to the blue tail of males.

Size range

The species grows to about 42 cm in length.

Distribution

The Bluetail Leatherjacket is endemic to Australia. It occurs from eastern South Australia to south-western Western Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Bluetail Leatherjacket specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species is found on rocky reefs in inshore temperate waters.

Classification

Species:: cyanoura
Genus:: Eubalichthys
Family:: Monacanthidae
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Hutchins, J.B. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
Hutchins, J.B. 1987. New Australian Fishes. Part 12. A new species of Eubalichthys (Monacanthidae). Memoirs of the Museum of Victoria 48(1): 51-52 fig.

Last Updated: 22 June 2009

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