ANIMAL SPECIES:Opah, Lampris guttatus (Brunnich, 1788)
The Opah is a distictively shaped spotted fish that lives worldwide in oceanic waters.
Alternative Name/s
The species has also been called Spotted Moonfish and Opal Fish.Identification
The Opah is a deep-bodied, compressed fish. It is deep blue on the back grading to a lighter blue or silver on the belly. The body is covered with white spots and the fins are a vibrant red.
Size range
Opahs grow to over 1.5 m in length and can weigh over 70 kg.Distribution
The species has a worldwide oceanic distribution. In Australia it is known from off northern New South Wales, around the south of the country including Tasmania, to south-western Western Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Opah specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
It is a mid-water species which lives at depths between 100 m and 400 m.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
The species eats other fishes and squids.
Classification
- Species:
- guttatus
- Genus:
- Lampris
- Family:
- Lampridae
- Order:
- Lampridiformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Glover, C.J.M. in Gomon, M.F., C.J.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Wheeler, A. 1975. Fishes of the World. An Illustrated Dictionary. Ferndale Editions. Pp.366.
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Opah, Lampris guttatus View full size
Ken Graham
© Ken Graham NSW DPI
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