© Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia Full citation Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia: Volume 1 - Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes. Report for the South Australian Working Group for Marine Species of Conservation Concern. J. Baker (consultant); Science and Conservation Division, and Coast and Marine Conservation branches of S.A. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH); Marine and Coastal Community Network of S.A. (MCCN), and Threatened Species Network (TSN). Web version published by Reef Watch, South Australia.

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ACANTHOCLINIDAE: SPINY BASSLETS

© Rudie Kuiter

The Acanthoclinidae is a small family of fish, related to the Pseudochromidae and Plesiopidae, and not recognised by all taxonomists who work on Plesiopid and Acanthoclinid fishes (e.g. Mooi, 1993; Hoese and Hanley, in Australian Government DEH, 2006a). Most species in the family are found in New Zealand (Kuiter, 1996a). In Australia, for purposes of description and cataloguing, some authorities recognise Acanthoclinidae as a valid family (e.g. Kuiter, in Gomon et al., 1994; Australian Museum, 2003i; CSIRO, 2007). Furthermore, Hardy (1985), who described Beliops xanthokrossos, the small, southern Australian species discussed here, placed it in the Acanthoclinidae. For those reasons, the species is reported here as a member of the Acanthoclinidae, although it is noted that some other species of longfin have remained in the Plesiopidae, hence the taxonomy of this group of fishes is unclear. There are only two species in Australia, one in the tropical Pacific, and the other endemic to southern Australia (CSIRO, 2007).

Associated taxa

Southern Longfin

Beliops xanthokrossos Hardy, 1985