Genus Diretmichthys

Summary:

Body more or less oval in shape, anus about midway between the origins of the pelvic and anal fins; scales coarsely ctenoid; scutes present along the abdominal surface between the pelvic and anal-fin origins; prepelvic scutes absent. Pelvic-fin tips reaching anal fin origin.

A monotypic genus found worldwide in tropical and temperate waters, except in the Northeast Pacific. Larvae and juveniles have been found near the surface, while adults are mesopelagic and bathypelagic in 500-2100 m. To 32 cm SL, 40 cm TL.

Meristics: Dorsal fin 26–29; Anal fin 20–23; Caudal fin 19; Pectoral fin 17–20; Pelvic fin I, 6; Gill rakers (first arch) 16–20.

Author: Dianne J. Bray

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Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Diretmichthys in Fishes of Australia, accessed 26 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/genus/450

References

Kotlyar, A.N. 1988. Classification and distribution of fishes of the family Diretmidae (Beryciformes).  Journal of Ichthyology 28(2): 1-15.

Kotlyar, A.N. 1990. Diretmichthys, a new genus of Diretmidae (Beryciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 30(2): 153-162.

Kotlyar, A. N. 1996. Beryciform fishes of the world ocean. VNIRO Publishing: 1-368.

Paxton, J.R. 1999. Families Gibberichthyidae, Rondeletiidae, Barbourisiidae, Cetomimidae, Mirapinnidae, Megalomycteridae, Anoplogastridae, Diretmidae. pp. 2203-2211 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 4 2069-2790 pp.

Russell, B.C. & W. Houston. 1989. Offshore fishes of the Arafura Sea. Beagle 6(1): 69-84.