Author: (Lowe, 1843)

Taractichthys longipinnis (Lowe, 1843)

Diagnosis: large bramid fishes. Scaly dorsal fin originating over end of pectoral fin base; stiff and decidedly falcate. Anal fin similar, originating under end of dorsal lobe, base about four-fifths length of dorsal fin base. Dorsal profile of head between eyes strongly arched and rounded. Head somewhat broadened, lower edges of mandible not in contact. Dorsal finrays 35-38; anal finrays 27-30; pectoral finrays 20-22. Vertebrae 44-47. Scales in horizontal series 39-45, modally 43. Scales with a strong central spine, except in largest individuals, creating impression of distinct horizontal lines on body. No keel on caudal peduncle, but last scale on peduncle distinctly larger than scales on caudal fin. No lateral line in adult. Colour: black overall except for whitish paired fins and trailing edge of median fins. Size: to over 100 cm SL, those taken in high latitudes usually the largest.

Habitat: pelagic, usually offshore, in warm waters. Food: no data. Reproduction: young occur in all seasons.

Distribution: from Iceland to Norway southwards. Absent from the Mediterranean. Elsewhere, in the Atlantic Ocean, but nowhere common.

Eggs, larvae and young stages. Mead, 1972: 88.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Superclass Gnathostomata
Class Osteichthyes
Order Perciformes
Suborder Percoidei
Family Bramidae
Genus Taractichthys
Species Taractichthys longipinnis

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Taractichthys longipinnis (Lowe, 1843)

Scientific synonyms and common names

Taractichthys longipinnis (Lowe, 1843)

Synonyms:

Brama longipinnis Lowe, 1843, Proc. zool. Soc. London, 11: 82 (Madeira).
Brama princeps Johnson, 1863, Proc. zool. Soc. London, 1863: 36-38 (Madeira).
Taractes longipinnis: Barnard, 1927, 27: 595 (South Africa).


Common names:

long-finned bream [En]

Barnard, K. H. 1926-1927. A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. Part I, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., 21: pp. 1-418, fig. 1-18, pl. I-XVII. Part II, ibid., 21: pp. 417-1065, fig. 19-32, pl. XVIII-XXXVIII.

Johnson, J. Y. 1863b. Descriptions of five new species of fishes obtained at Madeira. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond., 33: 36-46, pl. VII.

Lowe, R. T. 1843. Notices of fishes newly observed or discovered in Madeira during the years 1840, 1841 and 1842. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond., 11: pp. 81-95.

Mead, G. W. 1972. Bramidae. Dana-report (81): pp. 1-166, 58 fig., 9 pl.

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