Longfin Gemfish, Rexea antefurcata Parin 1989

Distribution restricted to southern Pacific and southern Indian Ocean. In Australian waters found along the west coast from Carnarvon to North West Cape (WA) and along the east coast from Swains Reef (QLD to ) Gabo Island (VIC). An oceanic species, benthopelagic, found in depths from 126 to 770 m. Schools of this species migrate to mid-water at night.

D XVIII-XIX, 0, I, 15-17; A II, 12-34; P 13-14.

Pelvic fins reduced to tiny single spine in juveniles, absent in adults. Second dorsal and anal fins followed by two finlets. Body elongate and compressed. Body depth 6-7 times into standard length. Head length 3.0-3.5 times into standard length. Lower jaw protrudes, both jaws without dermal processes. Three to five pairs of rigid, and 1-3 pairs of depressible fang-like teeth in upper jaw, One pair of fang-like teeth in lower jaw. Lateral line bifurcated below third to fifth first dorsal fin spine, the upper lateral line reaches end of second dorsal fin base, lower lateral line mid-lateral to caudal fin origin. Body naked, except wedge-shaped stripe of small scales extending forward from caudal peduncle along horizontal section of upper lateral line.

Body grey or brown with metallic tone. First three membranes of first dorsal fin jet-black, the remainder of the fin blackish. Pectoral fins grey.

Known to feed on fishes (myctophids, macrourids and carangids), cephalopods and crustaceans. Larger prey is bitten into pieces before it is swallowed.

Matures at 25 cm (SL).

Of no particular interest to fisheries, but known to be taken as bycatch in prawn trawls.

None.

Rexea antefurcata Parin 1989, Voprosy Ikhtiologii 29(1):19 [101], Fig. 6, Sala y Gomez Ridge, 25°34'S, 89°12'W, southeastern Pacific, depth 560-590 meters.

Schultz, S.