Genus Anoplocapros


Summary:

An endemic Australian genus with three species. Body oval, deep, slightly compressed with prominent keel‑like ridges on the dorsal and ventral midlines. Each side has a distinct but low longitudinal ventrolateral ridge and a faint longitudinal dorsolateral ridge. The dorsal profile is flat from the snout to the dorsal ridge, and males develop a low hump on the snout.

The three species are confined to coastal waters of Southern Australia.

Key to species of Anoplocapros

1a.  Dorsal profile in front of eyes concave; body orange to red, or reddish brown with irregular black lines (females) or diagonal pale bands (males) ………............................................................................................Anoplocapros lenticularis

1b.  Dorsal profile in front of eyes straight or convex; ventral sides white; dorsal and lateral sides without dark lines or pale bands …….............................................................................................................................................................................2

2a.  Dorsal profile straight from snout to dorsal ridge; caudal peduncle completely encircled by bony plates just in front of caudal fin; dorsal and lateral sides with nearly black spots ..................................Anoplocapros amygdaloides

2b.  Dorsal profile convex from snout to dorsal ridge; caudal peduncle partially encircled by bony plates just in front of caudal fin; dorsal and lateral sides with yellow to brown spots or plain .....................Anoplocapros inermis

Author: Dianne J. Bray

Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Anoplocapros in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/genus/81

References


Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. (as Anoplocapros robustus)

Fraser-Brunner, A. 1941. Notes on the plectognath fishes. VII. The Aracanidae, a distinct family of ostraciontoid fishes, with descriptions of two new species. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 11 8(28): 306-313 figs 1-2

Kaup, J.J. 1855. Uebersicht über die Species einiger Familien der Sclerodermen. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 21(1): 215-233. (genus Anoplocapros)

Kuiter, R.H. 1994. Family Aracanidae. pp. 892-902, figs 788-794 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : Stte Printer 992 pp. 810 figs

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to sea fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp.

Matsuura, K. 2008. Families Ostraciidae, Tetraodontidae. pp. 842-856 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.