Bluelined Hulafish, Trachinops brauni Allen 1977
Other Names: Blue-lined Hulafish, Blue-lined Prettyfin, Brauns Hulafish, Braun's Hulafish
Bluelined Hulafish, Trachinops brauni. Source: Rudie H. Kuiter / Aquatic Photographics. License: Rights: All rights reserved
Summary:
A small dark hulafish with a broad black stripe from the snout to the filamentous caudal-fin rays, an iridescent pale blue stripe below the dorsal fin, a white underside, and an iridescent blue margin on the dorsal, caudal, anal and pelvic fins.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2025, Trachinops brauni in Fishes of Australia, accessed 04 Jun 2026, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4609
Bluelined Hulafish, Trachinops brauni Allen 1977
More Info
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Distribution |
Recherche Archipelago to the Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia. Forms schools near rocky reef ledges, often with the Yellowhead Hulafish, Trachinops noarlungae. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin X-XI, 19-21; Anal fin III, 19-21; Pectoral fin 14-15; Caudal fin (branched rays) 8 + 7 = 15; Lateral-line scales, anterior 38-43, posterior 3-5; Gill rakers, first arch 7-8 + 16-17 = 23-24; Branchiostegal rays 6. Body elongate, depth 5.6-7.1 in SL; middle rays of caudal fin forming elongate filaments in adults. |
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Colour |
In life: Prominent black band originating at tip of snout, gradually widening and covering most of sides, then continuing through middle of caudal fin; area below this band white; narrow stripe of neon blue running from snout, above eye and along body, just below dorsal fin to base of upper caudal rays; a thin strip of black separating neon blue stripe and dorsal fin; dorsal fin largely pale yellow, dusky on basal 1/4 and pale blue on outer 1/4; anal fin mostly translucent, but slightly dusky on basal 1/2 with yellowish submarginal band and light blue border of equal width on outer 1/2; ,middle rays of caudal fin black, remainder of fin pale blue except submarginal yellow band on upper lobe and brownish submarginal band grading to yellow anteriorly on lower lobe, edge of caudal fin with fine border of neon blue; pelvic and pectoral fins transparent. |
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Fisheries |
The species may occasionally be found in the aquarium trade. |
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Etymology |
"'The species is named brauni in honour of Mr John Braun of Perth for his much appreciated assistance in the field." |
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Species Citation |
Trachinops (Paratrachinops) brauni Allen, 1977, Records of the Western Australian Museum 5(1): 62, figs 1a, 2. Type locality: Off Rottnest Island, Western Australia, about 32°01'S, 115°26'E, depth 3-10 m. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2025 |
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Resources |
Bluelined Hulafish, Trachinops brauni Allen 1977
References
Allen, G.R. 1977. A revision of the plesiopid fish genus Trachinops, with the description of a new species from Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 5(1): 59-72 figs 1-2 See ref online
Hoschke, A., Whisson, G. & Moore, G.I. 2019. Complete list of fishes from Rottnest Island, pp. 150-161 in Whisson, G. & Hoschke, A. (eds) The Rottnest Island fish book. 2nd ed. Perth : Aqua Research and Monitoring Services.
Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp.
Hutchins, J.B. & Thompson, M. 1983. The Marine and Estuarine Fishes of South-western Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 103 pp. 345 figs.
Kuiter, R.H. 1994. Family Plesiopidae. pp. 552-558 figs 490-495 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.
Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp.
Kuiter, R.H. 2004. Basslets, Hamlets and their relatives. A comprehensive guide to selected Serranidae and Plesiopidae. Chorleywood, UK : TMC Publishing 1, 216 pp.
Mooi, R.D. 2008. Family Plesiopidae. pp.550-556 in Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.
Williams, J.T. 2022. Trachinops brauni. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T214366308A214366310. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T214366308A214366310.en. Accessed on 15 October 2025.
