Spikey Oreodory, Neocyttus rhomboidalis Gilchrist, 1906

Scientific name: Neocyttus rhomboidalis
Alternative name/s:
Deepwater Dory, Deepwater Oreo Dory, Oxeye Oreo, Spikey Dory, Spikey Oreo
Spiky Oreodory, <i>Neocyttus rhomboidalis</i> Click to enlarge image
A 17cm standard length Spiky Oreo trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth between the 804m and 944m in international waters south of Norfolk Island, May 2003 (CSIRO H6054-02). Image: K. Parkinson
© NORFANZ Founding Parties

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Neocyttus
    Species
    rhomboidalis
    Family
    Oreosomatidae
    Order
    Zeiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to at least 30 cm in length.

Introduction

The Spikey Oreodory has a protrusible mouth. It is grey-brown in colour. It occurs in southern temperate waters of Southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Identification

The Spikey Oreodory has a compressed, rhomboid-shaped body that tapers to a narrow caudal peduncle. The body profile behind the head is concave. The fish has radiating ridges on the operculm and strongly attached ctenoid scales. The mouth is protrusible. It is grey-brown in colour, with black gill membranes. Its soft dorsal and anal fin membranes are black.

Habitat

It is a benthic species that is found in marine waters at depths between 300 m and 1750 m.

Distribution

It occurs in southern temperate waters of Southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is known from temperate southern waters from off the central coast of New South Wales south to southern Tasmania and west to the Great Australian Bight, 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.

References

  1. Bray, D.J. 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. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Last, P.R., E.O.G. Scott & F.H. Talbot. 1983. Fishes of Tasmania. Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority. Pp. 563.