Unicorn Crestfish, Eumecichthys fiski (Günther 1890)

Head of a Unicorn Crestfish, Eumecichthys fiski. Source: Eric Woroch, US NMFS-PIRO Observer Program / Wikimedia Commons. License: Public Domain
Summary:
A rare deepsea oarfish relative with an extremely long silvery ribbon-like body, a horn-like process extending froward on the head, bright red fins, and 24-60 darker vertical bands along the sides.
As a defence against predators, the Unicorn Crestfish can expel black fluid from around the anus.
As a defence against predators, the Unicorn Crestfish can expel black fluid from around the anus.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2017, Eumecichthys fiski in Fishes of Australia, accessed 15 Feb 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/4329
Unicorn Crestfish, Eumecichthys fiski (Günther 1890)
More Info
Distribution |
In Australia, the only known specimen was washed ashore at Cheynes Beach, Albany, in 1989. Elsewhere the species is very rare, but thought to occur worldwide in depths of around 1000 m. |
Species Citation |
Lophotes fiski Günther 1890, Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1890(2): 244, pls 19-20. Type locality: Cape of Good Hope, Kalk Bay, South Africa. |
Author |
Bray, D.J. 2017 |
Resources |
Unicorn Crestfish, Eumecichthys fiski (Günther 1890)
References
Bray, D.J. 2008. Family Lophotidae. pp. 298 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.
Günther, A. 1890. Description of a new species of deep-sea fish from the Cape (Lophotes fiski). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1890(2): 244-247 pls 19-20 Ref at BHL
Knudsen, S. 2015. Eumecichthys fiski. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T190107A60791470. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T190107A60791470.en. Downloaded on 06 May 2017.
Olney, J.E. 1999. Families Veliferidae, Lamprididae, Stylephoridae, Lophotidae, Radiicephalidae, Trachipteridae, Regalecidae. pp. 1966-1975 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds) The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068.