Pearlfish
From Freepedia
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Carapus |
The Pearlfish is a general name for a variety of marine fish species in the Carapidae family. Pearlfish have been found in both tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans at depths up to 2 km (1.25 mi) along oceanic shelves and slopes. They are distinquished by having a Dorsal fin rays that are shorter than their Anal fin rays. They have translucent, scaleless bodies reminiscent of eels. Pearlfish reproduce by laying eggs that are oval shaped, about 1 mm (1/32 in) in length.
A few species of freshwater Killifish in the New World Rivulines family (Aplocheilidae) also share the name Pearlfish, but are not related.
Pearlfish are currently divided into 7 genera and 31 species. The genera are divided into three major groupings based on their level of Symbiosis:
- Echiodon and Snyderidia - Free-living
- Carapus and Onuxodon - Commensal
- Enceliophis - Parasitic: Fish in this group live in invertebrate hosts found in shallow-water coral communities such as bivalves, sea cucumbers, and starfish.
References
- "Carapidae". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. May 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.
- "Carapidae" (TSN 165094). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2005. Accessed on June 23 2005.
