Japanese Rubyfish, Erythrocles schlegelii
Scientific name: Erythrocles schlegelii
Click to enlarge image
A Japanese Rubyfish from the Kedonganan fish market, Bali, 2 March 2011. This species is an emmelichthyid fish (family Emmelichthyidae). The bonnetmouths (also known as the Red Baitfishes, Redbait, Ruby Fishes) are represented by two genera and four species in Australian waters. They are mostly bottom-dwelling fishes that occure at depths between 100 m and 400 m. They have distinctive upper jaws and feed mainly on zooplankton.
Image: William White
© William White
© William White
Fast Facts
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Classification
- Genus
- Erythrocles
- Species
- schlegelii
- Family
- Emmelichthyidae
The Japanese Rubyfish occurs throughout the Indo-west Pacific region. It is known from a few localities in northern Western Australia and Queensland.
The species is an emmelichthyid fish (family Emmelichthyidae). The bonnetmouths (also known as the red baitfishes, redbait and ruby fishes) are represented by two genera and five species in Australian waters.
They are mostly bottom-dwelling fishes that occur at depths between 100 m and 400 m. The primary food item is zooplankton.
Reference:
Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & 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.
