Zu elongatus
| Zu elongatus | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Lampriformes |
| Family: | Trachipteridae |
| Genus: | Zu |
| Species: | Z. elongatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Zu elongatus Heemstra & Kannemeyer, 1984
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Zu elongatus, or the taper-tail ribbonfish, is a species of ray-finned fish within the family Trachipteridae.[1] The species distribution is poorly known, and while it likely lives in temperate and tropical waters of all oceans, but has only been encountered in the Atlantic Ocean- off the coasts of Namibia and the western Cape of South Africa- and in the Pacific Ocean off New Zealand.[2][3] It inhabits mesopelagic waters up to 1200 meters below sea level.[4] Other common names for this species include "scalloped dealfish" and spitsstert-lintvis in Afrikaans.[2]
Biology
Zu elongatus grows to a length of 120 centimeters and has a silvery grey coloration with bars along the sides. The pelvic fins of adults are bright red.[3][4] The dorsal fins lack spines but are composed of 142-147 soft rays. Juveniles are epipelagic, spending time near the surface, and have trailing, elongated dorsal and pelvic fins that mimic siphonophores and jellyfish.[4][2] The diet of the species consists of crustaceans, small fish and squid. Eggs of Zu elongatus are large and free floating with a bright red coloration.[2]
When preserved in alcohol, the bodies of adults are generally tan in color, with a dark triangular area on the front of the head that extends onto the lips and the gular area.[5] The posterior part of the dorsal fin and caudal fin are black, to the base of the latter is pale.[5]
Conservation
Zu elongatus has been classified as a 'Least concern' species by the IUCN Red List, as despite having little information about its population and ecology, there are no major threats to any of its populations.[2]
References
- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Zu elongatus Heemstra & Kannemeyer, 1984". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ a b c d e "IUCN Red List, Zu elongatus". www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ a b "Zu elongatus, Taper-tail ribbonfish". www.fishbase.se. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ a b c "Zu elongatus". fishesofaustralia.net.au. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ a b Heemstra, P.C. and S.X. Kannemeyer, 1986. Trachipteridae. p. 399-402. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.