Pentapodus nagasakiensis

Pentapodus nagasakiensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Nemipteridae
Genus:	Pentapodus
Species:	P. nagasakiensis
Binomial name
	Pentapodus nagasakiensis; (Tanaka, 1915)
Synonyms
	Leptoscolopsis nagasakiensis Tanaka, 1915

The Japanese whiptail or Japanese butterfish (Pentapodus nagasakiensis) is a species of marine fish in the coral bream family (Nemipteridae) of order Perciformes. It is native to the western Pacific Ocean.

Distribution

It is found in the western Pacific from southern Japan, the South China Sea, and Indonesia (Lombok) to northern Australia. The fish have been reported from Lizard Island and Lihou Reef in the Great Barrier Reef.^[1]

Description

The maximum recorded size of this species is 20 cm. Its color is tan or yellow grading to white on the belly, often with a pair of yellowish stripes separated by a white band centrally on the sides.^[1] Its pelvic fins are moderately long, reaching to or almost to the level of the anus. Lobes of its caudal fin are pointed, and more or less equal in length.

Habitat

Generally seen below 15 m deep^[1] in deeper offshore waters, it occasionally ventures into shallow estuaries and harbors. Usually, it is found solitary or in small groups. It feeds on small shrimp.

Conservation status

Not evaluated Other noteworthy information (life-cycle, breeding, etc.)

Etymology

The generic name Pentapodus is from the Greek, pente = five and pous = feet. The specific name nagasakiensis means of Nagasaki.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Randall, John E.; Allen, Gerald R.; Steene, Roger C. (1997). Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea (second ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 0 8248 1895 4.

Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2014). "Pentapodus nagasakiensis" in FishBase. March 2014 version.

"Pentapodus nagasakiensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 18 March 2014.

External links

Fishes of Australia : Pentapodus nagasakiensis

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[Randall_1997-1] Randall, John E.; Allen, Gerald R.; Steene, Roger C. (1997). Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea (second ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 0 8248 1895 4.

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