- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- PERCIFORMES
- GEMPYLIDAE
- Rexichthys
- johnpaxtoni
Paxton's Gemfish, Rexichthys johnpaxtoni Parin & Astakhov 1987
Very little is known about this small gempylid species.
Paxton's Gemfish, Rexichthys johnpaxtoni Parin & Astakhov 1987
More Info
|
Depth |
from 220 to 470 m |
|
Distribution |
Known only from the east coast of Australia, from central QLD to off Port Stephens (NSW), and from New Caledonia. An oceanic species, benthopelagic, found in depths of 220 to 470 m. |
|
Features |
D XVIII, 0, I, 14-15; A II, 12-13; P 13. Pelvic fins reduced in juveniles, absent in adults. Second dorsal and anal fins followed by three finlets. Body moderately elongate and compressed. Body depth 7-8 times into standard length. Head length 3.2-3.3 times into standard length. Lower jaw protrudes, both jaws without dermal processes. Three pairs of rigid, and 1-3 pairs of moveable fang-like teeth in upper jaw. One pair of fang-like teeth in lower jaw. Juveniles possess vomerine teeth, absent in adults. Palatine has 20-25 teeth. Two lateral lines, the upper following the dorsal profile, the lower originating below the sixth to seventh spines of the first dorsal fin divides into a short anterior branch, and longer posterior branch which reaches the caudal peduncle. Scales absent. |
|
Size |
To at least 22 cm (SL) |
|
Colour |
Body brownish, fins hyaline, except first dorsal fin, which bears a black blotch on membrane between the two anterior spines. |
|
Feeding |
Unknown. |
|
Biology |
Unknown. |
|
Fisheries |
Of no interest to fisheries. |
|
Conservation |
None. |
|
Etymology |
Named for the ichthyologist Dr John Paxton, previously Curator of Fishes at the Australian Museum. |
|
Species Citation |
Rexichthys johnpaxtoni Parin & Astakhov 1987, Voprosy Ikhtiologii 27(1): 149 [155], Fig. 1, Western Pacific, Tasmanian Sea, 32°18'S, 153°00'E, depth 400 meters. |
|
Author |
Schultz, S. |
Paxton's Gemfish, Rexichthys johnpaxtoni Parin & Astakhov 1987
References
Carpenter, K.E., Niem, V.H. (eds). FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 6. Bony fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes and marine mammals. Rome, FAO. 2001. pp. 3381-4218.
Hoese, D.F., D.J. Bray, J.R. Paxton, & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. in Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
Nakamura, I. and N. V. Parin. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 15. Snake mackerels and cutlassfishes of the world (Families Gempylidae and Trichiuridae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the snake mackerels, snoeks, escolars, gemfishes, sackfishes, domine, oilfish,cutlassfishes, scabbardfishes, hairtails, and frostfishes known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopis. No. 125, Vol. 15. 1993. 136 p., 200 figs.
Parin, N.V. & Astakhov, D.A. (1987). Rexichthys johnpaxtoni - a new fish of the family Gempylidae from the Tasman Sea. Vopr. Ikhtiol. 27(1): 149-151 [in Russian. English translation in J. Ichthyol. 27(2): 154-157].