Opaline Razorfish, Iniistius opalus Fukui 2018


Opaline Razorfish, Iniistius opalus. Source: Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial

Summary:
A brown to pale greyish razorfish with a poorly defined yellow area from the anterodorsal margin of the orbit to the pectoral-fin base. Head reddish-brown or bright purple. Eye red, edged with yellow, pupil black. Small milky-white blotches, less than orbit diameter, on anal- and caudal-fin bases; smaller blotches on midbody. Several milky-white (purplish red, or blue) blotches or bands on head from ventral margin of orbit to pectoral-fin base. Dorsal fin light brown with several irregular milky-white bars and blotches. Pectoral fin translucent. Pelvic and anal fin white basally, translucent distally. Caudal fin pale yellow, with five irregular milky-white bars.
Previously, the Opaline Razorfish had been confused with the similar Keelhead Razorfish, Iniistius jacksonensis, which is endemic to eastern Australia.

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2023, Iniistius opalus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/5481

Opaline Razorfish, Iniistius opalus Fukui 2018

More Info


Distribution

Endemic to northern Australia from the Montebello Islands, Western Australia, to the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland.

Features

Dorsal-fin IX, 12, first two dorsal-fin spines short, their length similar to those of other spines of dorsal fin; Anal-fin III, 11-13 (rarely 11 or 13); Pectoral fin 12; lateral line interrupted, pored lateral-line scales 18–20 + 4–5; scale rows below lateral line 9 (rarely 10); small scale below eye; vertical small 6–8 scale rows on cheek, each row well separated from adjacent rows. Central gill raker of upper limb of first gill arch with 4 branches; central gill raker of lower limb of first gill arch with single branch; body depth 33.5–39.2% of SL; head length 32.9–36.0% of SL; pre-pectoral-fin length 29.8–32.5% of SL; orbit diameter 6.1–7.3% of SL; last two dorsal-fin rays long; small blotches on body; distinct blotches scattered on opercle.

Colour

Based on photographs of type specimens: body brown or greyish-white with a poorly defined yellow area from the anterodorsal margin of the orbit to the pectoral-fin base. Head reddish-brown or bright purple. Eye red, edged with yellow, pupil black. Small milky-white blotches, less than orbit diameter, on anal- and caudal-fin bases; smaller blotches on midbody. Several milky-white (purplish red, or blue) blotches or bands on head from ventral margin of orbit to pectoral-fin base. Dorsal fin light brown with several irregular milky-white bars and blotches. Pectoral fin translucent. Pelvic and anal fin white basally, translucent distally. Caudal fin pale yellow, with five irregular milky-white bars.

Biology

A protogynous hermaphrodite - having the ability to change sex from female to male during the life cycle.

Etymology

The specific is from the Latin opalus (= opal), in reference to the numerous spots on the body.

Species Citation

Iniistius opalus Fukui 2018, Ichthyological Research 64(3): 4, Figs 5-7. Type locality: north of Port Hedland, Western Australia, 19°31ʹ–32ʹS, 118°34ʹ–35ʹE, 36 m.

Author

Bray, D.J. 2023

Resources

Atlas of Living Australia

Opaline Razorfish, Iniistius opalus Fukui 2018

References


Fukui, Y. 2019. Redescription of Iniistius jacksonensis (Ramsay 1881) and description of Iniistius opalus sp. nov. from northern Australia (Perciformes: Labridae). Ichthyological Research 66(2): 258-268. pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-018-0673-0

Gloerfelt-Tarp, T. & Kailola, P.J. 1984. Trawled Fishes of Southern Indonesia and Northwest Australia. Jakarta : Dir. Gen. Fish. (Indonesia), German Tech. Coop., Aust. Dev. Ass. Bur. 406 pp. (as Xyrichtys jacksonensis)

Kuiter, R.H. 2012. Labridae fishes: wrasses. 2nd Ed. Seaford, Victoria, Australia : Aquatic Photographics. 400+pp (as Xyrichtys sp. 2)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. (as Xyrichtys jacksonensis)

Quick Facts


Depth:22-64 m

Habitat:Reef associated, sandy areas

Max Size:16 cm SL

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Species Maps

CAAB distribution map