Rare velvetfish (Matsubarichthys inusitatus)

Scientific name: Matsubarichthys inusitatus Poss & Johnson, 1991

The Rare velvetfish (Matsubarichthys inusitatus) is a marine fish of the family Aploactinidae. Native range: Western Pacific, known only from the holotype taken in Queensland, Australia.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 4; Vertebrae: 21. Head extremely large, depressed. Body elongate, not compressed. Caudal fin damaged (rounded, without branched rays, 10 segmented rays and 4 unsegmented). Body scales absent, except for lateral line which are extremely long and tubular; first 3 touching each other. Its distinct, densely melanic spots on the head may be a transitory larval or juvenile character but cannot be verified until larger specimens are caught.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Matsubarichthys inusitatus
Family
Aploactinidae (Velvetfishes)
Order
Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
1.7
Environment
Marine; demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Pacific: known only from the holotype taken in Queensland, Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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