Sculptured seamoth (Pegasus lancifer)

Scientific name: Pegasus lancifer Kaup, 1861

The Sculptured seamoth (Pegasus lancifer) is a brackish-water fish of the family Pegasidae. Native range: Eastern Indian Ocean, endemic to the temperate waters of southern Australia and Tasmania.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 22. Body light to dark brown, olive or blue dorsally and laterally, light brown ventrally. Tail rings 14, anteriormost 7 mobile, remaining 7 fused; terminal tail rings with dorsal and ventral pairs of posteriorly directed spines; rostrum square in cross section; interpectoral plate absent. 4 pairs dorsolateral body plates; 5 pairs ventrolateral body plates; suborbital shelf convex, obscuring eye from ventral view; deep pits on dorsal surface of head and within interorbital depression absent. Orbit with small scales.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Pegasus lancifer
Family
Pegasidae (Seamoths)
Order
Gasterosteiformes (Sticklebacks and Seamoths)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
9.1
Depth range
20–60 m (66–197 ft)
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 20 - 60 m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Eastern Indian Ocean: endemic to the temperate waters of southern Australia and Tasmania.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
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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