Description: Neocyttus acanthorhynchus fish on hard substratum off Mozambique.
The fish in the grab is an Oreo, family Oreosomatidae, possibly Neocyttus acanthorhynchus, described by Gilchirst 1908 from off Madagascar. This photo is very similar to Neocyttus helgae from the NE Atlantic. I believe several specimens of the photographed species were trapped during the Russian cruise of the Vityaz many years ago. There is no common name for this species. It is closely related to the spikey oreo, Neocyttus rhomboidalis, well known, and fished commercially, on the Atlantic side of South Africa. But the spikey oreo (also previously called the oreo dory, and sometimes black dory - particularly in the fishery) has a less angular shape without the marked dip in front of the dorsal fin. This photo makes me suspicious, wondering if N. helgae and N. acanthorhynchus are perhaps the same species with a classic anti-tropical (bi-polar) global distribution. Your photos are remarkably similar to N. helgae. If they are indeed N. acanthorhynchus, your photos may be the first life photos of same. Item Type: Image Title: Oreo (Neocyttus acanthorhynchus) from Golfinho Mozambique Species: Neocyttus acanthorhynchus Behaviour: swimming near seafloor Site: Indian -- Indian Ocean -- East Africa Site Description: Seafloor Depth (m): 996 Latitude: 10 deg 31' 54" S Longitude: 40 deg 46' 50" E Countries: East Africa -- Mozambique Habitat: rocky area Rig: Belford Dolphin Project Partners: Subsea 7 ROV: Subsea 7 Deposited By: Dr Daniel Jones Deposited On: 18 September 2012
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Flickr Group
Learn more about Cyttopsis roseaX-ray Vision: Fish Inside Out, organized by the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), is an exhibit traveling to museums across the country through 2015. Visit www.sites.si.edu/exhibitions/exhibits/ichthyo/index.htm for the tour itinerary.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Flickr Group
X-ray Vision: Fish Inside Out, organized by the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), is an exhibit traveling to museums across the country through 2015. Visit the SITES page for the tour itinerary.
Zeus faber would have to rate as one of the coolest scientific names in da fish 'hood! This is a deep offshore fish that is occasionally found in shallow coastal waters, like this one photographed at Clifton Gardens. The false eye spot on the side of the body confuses potential predators "which way will it run?". John Dorys are efficient predators themselves; they shoot out a tube from their mouths to catch their prey.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Flickr Group
Learn more about Oreosoma atlanticumX-ray Vision: Fish Inside Out, organized by the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), is an exhibit traveling to museums across the country through 2015. Visit www.sites.si.edu/exhibitions/exhibits/ichthyo/index.htm for the tour itinerary.