Observations on some Tasmanian fishes: Part XXXI- Review of Gnathanacanthidae

Abstract

GNATHANACANTHIDAE. The sole representative of this family, Gnathanacanthus goetzeei Bleeker, 1855, specified in the last century as the type of three different genera by Dutch, English and Australian ichthyologists, with type locality Tasmania (twice), Victoria, and endemic to southern Australian waters, is here made the subject of detailed investigation based on 15 individuals. Fin spines and rays are specified by rectified exponential equations. Differential growth with age is recognized; consistent negative correlation of the lengths of fin spines and rays with overall length of fish occurs. Features not previously reported include: presence of a subrectangular fleshy intermandibular pad, not matched in other families of the suborder Scorpaenoidei; disposition of dermal papillae, known to be irregular on the head and body, in parallel rows on the fins; and intrusion beneath the upper margin of operculum of a slip of papillate integument.