Genus Aracana


Summary:

An endemic Australian genus with two species, both found in the southern half of Australia. Species of Aracana have a short, deep, robust body almost completely enclosed in large, thickened, bony scale plates forming a carapace, with a keel along the underside and large recurved spines along the ridges of the carapace.

Key to southern Australian species of Aracana (From Matsuura, 2008)
Bony plates on caudal peduncle well developed, almost encircling tail in adults; lines on snout about horizontal; males without distinct hump on snout and with yellow and blue caudal fin   .......................................Aracana aurita

Bony plates on caudal peduncle absent or rudimentary; lines on snout diagonal; males with distinct hump on snout and with orange and blue caudal fin....................….......................................................................................Aracana ornata

Author: Dianne J. Bray

Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Aracana in Fishes of Australia, accessed 30 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/genus/111

References


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