Genus Cyttus


Summary:

A genus with three species, all found in Australian waters.

Characteristics: very compressed, deep-bodied fishes with a large head, moderately large eyes and a large highly protrusible mouth; caudal peduncle narrow; minute conical teeth in jaws and on vomer; scales small; lateral line arched anteriorly; ventral body margin with enlarged overlapping “zipper-like” row of scales; bases of dorsal and anal fins with low scaly sheath; dorsal fin in 2 parts with short-based spinous fin followed closely by long-based, low soft fin; some species with elongate dorsal and pelvic fins.


Key to species of Cyttus.

1a. Row of zipper-like scutes present along ventral midline between origins of ventral and anal fins; dorsal fin with 9 or 10 spines and 34–36 segmented rays; anal fin with 2 spines and 35–38 segmented rays; pectoral fins with 17–18rays; 1st anal-fin spine fused and immovable ………….......................................................................Cyttus traversi

1b. Scutes absent from midline of abdomen between origins of ventral and anal fins; dorsal fin 7–9 spines and 27–30 segmented rays; anal fin with 2 spines and 27–31 segmented rays; pectoral fins with 10–12 rays; 1st anal-fin spine movable ….............................................................................................................................................................................2


2a. Body scales ctenoid, rough to touch; spinous dorsal fin elongate, longest spine equal to or greater than head length; 15–17 scales between lateral line and 1st dorsal fin .........................................................Cyttus australis

2b. Body scales cycloid, smooth to touch; spinous dorsal fin short, longest spine about equal to eye diameter; 9–11 scales between lateral line and 1st dorsal fin .............................................................................Cyttus novaezealandiae.


Author: Dianne J. Bray

Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Cyttus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 09 Dec 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/genus/403

References


Bray, D.J. 1994. Families Zeidae, Oreosomatidae. pp. 416-427 figs 373-381 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs.

Bray, D.J. 2008. Family Cyttidae. pp. 435-438 in Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.