Animal Species:Yellowhead Hulafish, Trachinops noarlungae Glover 1974

Alternative Name/s

Noarlungae Hulafish, Yellow-headed Prettyfin

Identification

The Yellowhead Hulafish has an elongate body with a low, long-based dorsal fin. The caudal fin is pointed, with the central rays extended into a filament in adults. The pectoral fins are small.

The species is grey above and pale below. The dorsal fin base and upper portion of the head are both yellow. The caudal fin is yellow with a blue margin.

Size range

The species grows to 15 cm in length.

Distribution

It is endemic to Australia, occurring in South Australia and southern Western Australia.

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

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Yellowhead Hulafish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is a schooling species that is found in shallow waters, often under jetties and on rocky reefs, in depths to about 30 m.

Classification

Species:

noarlungae

Genus:

Trachinops

Family:

Plesiopidae

Order:

Perciformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Kuiter, R.H. 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.
2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 31 January 2013

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Yellowhead Hulafish, Trachinops noarlungae, Plesiopidae, schooling fish, marine, Noarlungae Hulafish, Yellow-headed Prettyfin, elongate, grey, pale underside, yellow head, blue margin, 10 cm - 30 cm, endemic to Australia, shallow water, rocky reef, jetty,