PORT PHILLIP BAY


Littoral Cusk 

Monothrix polylepis Ogilby, 1897

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details



Family level detail.
Small to medium-sized fishes with internal fertilization and associated copulatory organs; long-based dorsal and anal fins sometimes connected to the tail; pelvic fins when present, with 1-2 rays; large mouths; scales present in most; gill cover with a well-developed spine.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Ophidiiformes
Family:
Bythitidae
Genus:
Monothrix
Species:
polylepis

General Description

Small slender yellow, orange or brown fishes with long-based dorsal and anal fins separate from the tail. The main distinguishing characters of bythitids are the morphology of the male pseudoclapers, fin ray and vertebral counts, scalation and otolith morphology.

Biology

This species hides often hides on reefs and is rarely seen.

Habitat

Caves and crevices on rocky reefs in coastal waters, in depths of 1-15 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Cusk-eels, ling and allies

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

Commercial Species

No

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Bray, D.J.

Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Gomon, M.F.

Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Littoral Cusk, Monothrix polylepis, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 21 Sep 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6337

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