- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- PERCIFORMES
- XENISTHMIDAE
- Xenisthmus
- semicinctus
Halfbelt Wriggler, Xenisthmus semicinctus Gill & Hoese 2004

Halfbelt Wriggler, Xenisthmus semicinctus. Source: A. Gill & D. Hoese, 2004, Records of the Australian Museum, http://dx.doi.org/10.3853/j.0067-1975.56.2004.1428. License: All rights reserved
Halfbelt Wriggler, Xenisthmus semicinctus Gill & Hoese 2004
More Info
Distribution |
Endemic to Western Australia, and known only from Clerke Reef, Rowley Shoals in the Timor Sea. |
Features |
Meristic features: Dorsal fin VII, 12; Anal fin I, 11; Vertebrae: 27 (10+17) Tongue indented; posterior nostril with a well-developed flap on anterior rim; predorsal area broadly scaled to just behind vertical through posterior edge of preopercle, with narrow median wedge of scales extending further forward almost to pore D. |
Colour |
Upper sides with 12 large, closely spaced spots, each connecting dorsally to, or almost to, mid-line by a short, brown to dark brown bar. |
Etymology |
The specific name semicinctus is from the Latin semis meaning 'half', and cinctum for girdle or belt, in reference to the dark markings on the dorsal part of the body. |
Species Citation |
Xenisthmus semicinctus Gill & Hoese, 2004, Rec. Aust. Mus. 56: 245, fig. 3. Type locality: Clerke Reef, Rowley Shoals, Timor Sea, WA [17°18'S, 119°22'E]. |
Author |
Dianne J. Bray |
Halfbelt Wriggler, Xenisthmus semicinctus Gill & Hoese 2004
References
Allen, G.R. & Russell, B.C. 1986. Part VII Fishes. 79-103 in Berry, P.F. (ed.). Faunal Surveys of the Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef and Seringapatam Reef, northwestern Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 25: 1-106.
Gill, A.C. & Hoese, D.F. 2004. Three new Australian species of the fish genus Xenisthmus (Gobioidei: Xenisthmidae). Records of the Australian Museum 56: 241-246.