Allied Halosaur, Aldrovandia affinis (Günther, 1877)

Scientific name: Aldrovandia affinis
Alternative name/s:
Gilbert's Halosaur
Allied Halosaur, Aldrovandia affinis Click to enlarge image
A 34 cm long Allied Halosaur trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth between 1400 m and 1460 m in international waters south of Norfolk Island, May 2003 (NMNZ P.39253). Image: Kerryn Parkinson
© NORFANZ Founding Parties

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Aldrovandia
    Species
    affinis
    Family
    Halosauridae
    Order
    Notacanthiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    55 cm

Introduction

The Allied Halosaur is an elongate fish with an overhanging, pointed snout. It is found worldwide in continental slope depths.

Identification

The Allied Halosaur has an elongate body and an attenuate tail. It has a pointed snout that extends well in front of the mouth. There is a single short based dorsal fin and a long based anal fin that extends to the end of the tail. The body is scaled, with enlarged scales along the lateral line. The top of the head has no scales.

Allied Halosaur, Aldrovandia affinis
A 34 cm long Allied Halosaur trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth between 1400 m and 1460 m in international waters south of Norfolk Island, May 2003 (NMNZ P.39253). Image: Kerryn Parkinson
© NORFANZ Founding Parties

Habitat

The species occurs in tropical marine waters at continental slope depths.

Distribution

It occurs worldwide. In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Feeding and diet

Allied Halosaurs feed on polychaetes, amphipods and other small benthic invertebrates.

References

  1. Smith, D. G. 1999. Halosauridae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 3. Batoid fishes, chimaeras and bony fishes part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-vi, 1398-2068.