- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- PLEURONECTIFORMES
- SOLEIDAE
- Soleichthys
- serpenpellis
Snakeskin Sole, Soleichthys serpenpellis Munroe & Menke 2004
Snakeskin Sole, Soleichthys serpenpellis. Source: Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial
Summary:
A sole with six incomplete, diamond-shaped crossbands on the body that are widest in their mid-sections and wider than the pale interspaces. small brown spots scattered in the interspaces, three crossbands on the head, and two white spots in longitudinal series along the body midline.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2018, Soleichthys serpenpellis in Fishes of Australia, accessed 30 Apr 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/1011
Snakeskin Sole, Soleichthys serpenpellis Munroe & Menke 2004
More Info
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Distribution |
Endemic to the Dampier Archipelago, northwestern Australia, and the the Gulf of Carpentaria to SE of Mackay Queensland.. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin 76–84; Anal fin 64-71; Lateral line scales 83–95; Vertebrae 44–46. Ocular side pectoral-fin with two elongated rays of nearly equal length or with the second fin ray longer than the first; small scales present on bases and proximal halves of elongated ocular-side pectoral-fin rays. |
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Colour |
Eyed-side: six incomplete, diamond-shaped crossbands on body that are widest in their mid-sections and wider than the pale interspaces. small brown spots scattered in the interspaces, three crossbands on the head, and two white spots in longitudinal series along the body midline. |
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Similar Species |
Differs from Soleichthys microcephalus and other species in the genus Soleichthys, in having fewer (about 6) and incomplete diamond-shaped crossbands that are broadest in their mid-sections, small, brown spots scattered in the pale interspaces, and in some of its meristic features. |
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Etymology |
The specific name serpenpellis is from from the Latin serpen meaning 'snake' and pellis meaning 'skin', in reference to the distinctive ocular-side pigmentation pattern, on the eyed-side that is reminiscent of a snake-skin colour pattern. |
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Species Citation |
Soleichthys serpenpellis Munroe & Menke 2004, Rec. Aust. Mus. 56: 247-258. Type locality: Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland, 12°-18°S, 139-143°E. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2018 |
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Resources |
Snakeskin Sole, Soleichthys serpenpellis Munroe & Menke 2004
References
Muchhala, N. & Munroe, T.A. 2004. A new species of Soleichthys (Soleidae: Pleuronectiformes) from tropical seas off northern Australia. Ichthyological Research51: 57-62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-003-0196-0
Munroe, T.A. & Menke, S.B. 2004. Two new soleid flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae: Soleichthys) from Australian waters, with a re-description of Soleichthys microcephalus (Günther). Records of the Australian Museum 56: 247-258. DOI: 10.3853/j.0067-1975.56.2004.1430
