38.1 Albula vulpes: 90 em (Port Alfred).
Family No. 38 : ALBULIDAE
by M.M. Smith
Bonefishes
Beenvisse
Immediately recognisable by the inferior mouth below
the bluntly conical snout, single dorsal fin of soft-rays only,
low pectoral fin and anal fin far back. Elongate cylindrical
bodies with silvery cycloid scales, head naked; chin with a
small bony gular plate; 4-5 rows of minute teeth in each jaw
and crushing teeth in throat. Pelvic fin of 10-14 rays. Larval
fishes are thin, transparent, ribbon-like leptocephali.
Three genera, 2 in our area.
KEY TO GENERA
1a D short, less than 20 rays ..... .. .... .... .. ..... .. .. ..... ............ .. Albula
1b D long, more than 50 rays ... ..... ... ..... ........ ... .... .... . Pterothrissus
Genus Albula Scopoli, 1777
Until recently Albula vulpes was considered to be a single
wide-ranging tropical species. Recent work by Dr Shacklee
using protein analysis indicates that there may be 5 or more
distinct species (Shacklee & Tamaru, 1981). It is possible
that our species is not A. vulpes but A. glossodonta (ForsskaI, 1775) from the Red Sea or A. bananus (Lacepede,
1803), no locality, possibly Mauritius.
Bonefish
38.1 Albula vulpes
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Beenvis
Esox vulpes Linnaeus, 1758: 313 (Bahama Ids.). Albula vulpes: Smith,
SFSA No. 99*; Poll , 1953: 13*; van der Elst , 1981 : 101* .
D 15-19; A 7-9; P 17; V 9-10; GR (8-10)+(8-12) low tubercles; LL
62-75 . Depth 4.0-5.5 . Eye equal to or slightly less than interorbital.
38.2 Pterothrissus belloei: top: larva. 10 em ; bottom: 15 em (both off Walvis Bay).
38: ALBULIDAE (BONEFISHES)
Adipose eyelids present. P & V axillary scales present. A single long scale
each side of membrane between each ray of D & A.
Brilliant silvery fish with dusky fins and yellow at base of
P. Tropical seas, south to Algoa Bay. Attains at least 100
cm; largest known specimens are caught in Natal waters.
Occurs singly or in small groups in shallow water over sandy
areas or mangrove swamps. Spawns throughout the year in
deeper water of tropical and subtropical areas . Although a
fine gamefish, its flesh has too many fine bones to be
esteemed.
Genus Pterothrissus Hilgendorf, 1877
One species on our west coast, another, P. gissu Hildendorf, 1877, from Japan which differs in D originating over
middle of P. Mouth small, maxilla does not reach to below
front of eye; recurved teeth in fine band in each jaw becoming a single series of about 12 widely spaced fine sharp teeth
posteriorly in upper jaw.
38.2 Pterothrissus bel/oci
Cadenat, 1937
Longfin bonefish
Langvin-beenvis
Pterothrissus bel/oei Cadenat, 1937: 443* (Senegal); Poll , 1953: 16* ;
Talbot, 1960: 257; Smith, 1961 : 565 , No. 99a; 1965: 14* ; 1966: 57 ; 1966:
65 *; Karrer, 1973: 202.
D 51-59 ; A 12-14; P 15-16; V 10; LL 85-90; GR (4-8)+(12-15) enveloped in membrane, apices free ; depth 4.8-5 .0; eye 1.2 in interorbital.
Colour preserved: uniform yellowish grey, fins light, tips
of C lobes dusky. Attains 35 cm. West Africa, common off
Guinea and Senegal, reaches Sandwich Harbour south of
Walvis Bay, in 20 - 250 m. Leptocephalus larvae have been
found off Walvis Bay, indicating a possible breeding area,
maybe in deeper water.
157
Family No. 38 : ALBULIDAE
by M.M. Smith
Bonefishes
Beenvisse
Immediately recognisable by the inferior mouth below
the bluntly conical snout, single dorsal fin of soft-rays only,
low pectoral fin and anal fin far back. Elongate cylindrical
bodies with silvery cycloid scales, head naked; chin with a
small bony gular plate; 4-5 rows of minute teeth in each jaw
and crushing teeth in throat. Pelvic fin of 10-14 rays. Larval
fishes are thin, transparent, ribbon-like leptocephali.
Three genera, 2 in our area.
KEY TO GENERA
1a D short, less than 20 rays ..... .. .... .... .. ..... .. .. ..... ............ .. Albula
1b D long, more than 50 rays ... ..... ... ..... ........ ... .... .... . Pterothrissus
Genus Albula Scopoli, 1777
Until recently Albula vulpes was considered to be a single
wide-ranging tropical species. Recent work by Dr Shacklee
using protein analysis indicates that there may be 5 or more
distinct species (Shacklee & Tamaru, 1981). It is possible
that our species is not A. vulpes but A. glossodonta (ForsskaI, 1775) from the Red Sea or A. bananus (Lacepede,
1803), no locality, possibly Mauritius.
Bonefish
38.1 Albula vulpes
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Beenvis
Esox vulpes Linnaeus, 1758: 313 (Bahama Ids.). Albula vulpes: Smith,
SFSA No. 99*; Poll , 1953: 13*; van der Elst , 1981 : 101* .
D 15-19; A 7-9; P 17; V 9-10; GR (8-10)+(8-12) low tubercles; LL
62-75 . Depth 4.0-5.5 . Eye equal to or slightly less than interorbital.
38.2 Pterothrissus belloei: top: larva. 10 em ; bottom: 15 em (both off Walvis Bay).
38: ALBULIDAE (BONEFISHES)
Adipose eyelids present. P & V axillary scales present. A single long scale
each side of membrane between each ray of D & A.
Brilliant silvery fish with dusky fins and yellow at base of
P. Tropical seas, south to Algoa Bay. Attains at least 100
cm; largest known specimens are caught in Natal waters.
Occurs singly or in small groups in shallow water over sandy
areas or mangrove swamps. Spawns throughout the year in
deeper water of tropical and subtropical areas . Although a
fine gamefish, its flesh has too many fine bones to be
esteemed.
Genus Pterothrissus Hilgendorf, 1877
One species on our west coast, another, P. gissu Hildendorf, 1877, from Japan which differs in D originating over
middle of P. Mouth small, maxilla does not reach to below
front of eye; recurved teeth in fine band in each jaw becoming a single series of about 12 widely spaced fine sharp teeth
posteriorly in upper jaw.
38.2 Pterothrissus bel/oci
Cadenat, 1937
Longfin bonefish
Langvin-beenvis
Pterothrissus bel/oei Cadenat, 1937: 443* (Senegal); Poll , 1953: 16* ;
Talbot, 1960: 257; Smith, 1961 : 565 , No. 99a; 1965: 14* ; 1966: 57 ; 1966:
65 *; Karrer, 1973: 202.
D 51-59 ; A 12-14; P 15-16; V 10; LL 85-90; GR (4-8)+(12-15) enveloped in membrane, apices free ; depth 4.8-5 .0; eye 1.2 in interorbital.
Colour preserved: uniform yellowish grey, fins light, tips
of C lobes dusky. Attains 35 cm. West Africa, common off
Guinea and Senegal, reaches Sandwich Harbour south of
Walvis Bay, in 20 - 250 m. Leptocephalus larvae have been
found off Walvis Bay, indicating a possible breeding area,
maybe in deeper water.
157