Silverside, Argentina australiae Cohen, 1958
Deepsea Smelt
Click to enlarge image
© Ken Graham/DPI Fisheries
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Argentina
- Species
- australiae
- Family
- Argentinidae
- Order
- Argentiniformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 19 cm
Introduction
The Silverside is a small fish with large eyes and a sliver stripe running along both sides. The species is is endemic to Australia.
Identification
The Silverside has an elongate body with a distinct sliver stripe running along both sides. It has large eyes and a small mouth with the upper jaw slightly longer than the lower.
There are two dorsal fins. The first is short-based and the second is adipose (glossary). The anal fin is small and placed almost adjacent to the caudal fin.
Habitat
The species is found in temperate marine waters. It usually occurs on the continental shelf and slope, in depths ranging from 30 m to 400 m.
Distribution
The Silverside is endemic to Australia. It occurs from off the northern coast of New South Wales to south-eastern Western Australia.
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
- Glover, C.J.M. in Gomon, M.F, Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- 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.
