Yellowhead Hulafish, Trachinops noarlungae Glover 1974

Scientific name: Trachinops noarlungae
Alternative name/s:
Noarlungae Hulafish, Yellow-headed Prettyfin
Trachinops noarlungae Click to enlarge image
A Noarlunga Hulafish at a depth of 6 m, Edithburgh, South Australia, May 2004. Image: D. Teubner
© D. Teubner

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Trachinops
    Species
    noarlungae
    Family
    Plesiopidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 15 cm in length.

Introduction

The Yellowhead Hulafish is a small schooling species that lives in southern Australian marine waters.

Identification

The Yellowhead Hulafish has an elongate body with a low, long-based dorsal fin. The caudal fin is pointed, with the central rays extended into a filament in adults. The pectoral fins are small.

The species is grey above and pale below. The dorsal fin base and upper portion of the head are both yellow. The caudal fin is yellow with a blue margin.

Habitat

It is a schooling species that is found in shallow waters, often under jetties and on rocky reefs, in depths to about 30 m.

Distribution

It is endemic to Australia, occurring in South Australia and southern Western Australia.

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

References

  1. Kuiter, R.H. 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.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.