Opalfish

Opalfish
An opalfish observed in the Wellington Harbour
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Acropomatiformes
Family:	Hemerocoetidae
Genus:	Hemerocoetes
Species:	H. monopterygius
Binomial name
Hemerocoetes monopterygius Schneider, 1801

The opalfish, Hemerocoetes monopterygius, is a ray-finned fish of the genus Hemerocoetes, found only around New Zealand, at depths of between 5 and 200 metres (16 and 656 ft). Their length is between 10 and 25 centimetres (3.9 and 9.8 in).

Gallery

• 
  Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
• 
  An opalfish surrounded by shells

References

1. Nelson, J.; Matsuura, K.; Collette, B.; et al. (2017) [errata version of 2010 assessment]. "Hemerocoetes monopterygius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T154636A115215793. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T154636A4594312.en.

• "Hemerocoetes monopterygius". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 18 April 2006.
• Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hemerocoetes monopterygius". FishBase. January 2006 version.
• Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
• Wade Doak, A Photographic Guide to Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 2003) ISBN 1-877246-95-6