PORT PHILLIP BAY


Herring Cale 

Olisthops cyanomelas Richardson, 1850

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Meristics.
Dorsal fin spines/rays: XVI-XVIII, 9-11
Anal fin spines/rays: II-III, 9-11
Caudal fin rays: 11-13
Pectoral fin rays: 12-13
Ventral fin spines/rays: I, 4
Lateral line: 47-54

Interpreting fin count meristics.
Spines are in Roman numerals and soft rays are in Arabic numerals. Spines and rays that are continuous in one fin are separated by a comma. Fin sections are separated by semicolons.

Detailed descriptions of fin count and other meristics are in:
Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) (2008) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Order level detail.
A large and highly diverse group of modern bony fishes many of which have a generalized perch like body form. Most have pelvic fins with one spine and 5 rays and the maxillary bone is excluded from the gape of the mouth. Interrelationships of the group are poorly understood and continue to be studied. They inhabit almost all aquatic habitats from high-altitude strams to the deep sea, although most are marine.

Family level detail.
Usually long, slender colourful fishes with a single long-based dorsal fin, well-developed pectoral fins used for swimming, thick lips, jaws with well-developed canine teeth and crushing molars on the bones at the bases of the gill arches. Many are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that they change sex from female to male.

Recent molecular studies indicate the Labridae is not a natural group without the inclusion of the Weed whitings (formerly Odacidae) and Parrotfishes (formerly Scaridae).

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Labridae
Subfamily:
Odacinae
Genus:
Olisthops
Species:
cyanomelas

General Description

Body slender, moderately robust; snout broadly rounded; dorsal and anal fins long based, low; jaw teeth fused. Juveniles and females are a dark mottled greenish-greyish to brown above and greenish-yellow below with an incomplete silvery stripe along the sides. Males are darker green, or blue to black with brilliant blue lines on the head, pectoral fins and tail. To 40 cm.

Biology

A common species in the surge zone amongst Ecklonia and other brown macroalgae on which it feeds.

Habitat

On exposed reefs along the coast, often close to shore amongst kelp and large macroalgae in depths of 1-30 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Wrasses, rock whitings and allies

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

40 cm

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

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, Herring Cale, Olisthops cyanomelas, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 09 Oct 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6431

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