Longfin Garfish, Euleptorhamphus viridis (Hasselt, 1823)
Long-beaked Garfish, Longfinned Halfbeak.
Introduction
The Longfin Garfish is a long slender, silvery-coloured fish with an extremely long lower jaw and a short upper jaw.
Identification
The Longfin Garfish has an elongate ribbon-like body and an extremely long lower jaw. The species is often mistaken for a flying fish because of its very long pectoral fins and gliding ability.
Habitat
It is a pelagic species that occurs in inshore and oceanic waters.
Distribution
The Longfin Garfish occurs in the temperate Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the southern coast of 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.
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- 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.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.