Cladus: Eukaryota
The Bonnetmouth, Emmelichthyops atlanticus, is an ocean-going species of fish in the Bonnetmouth family, or Inermiidae. It is also known as the Bogita and the Slender bonnetmouth in the Bahamas and the John moriggle in Jamaica. The Bonnetmouth is the only member of the genus Emmelichthyops, and is one of only two species in its family, the other being the Boga, Inermia vittata. Description Bonnetmouths are similar to the only other member of its family, the Boga, or Inermia vittata.[1] The Bonnetmouth, however, has a more cigar-shaped body than its relative.[1] They also have a two distinct dorsal fins, with 10-11 spines and the same number of rays,[2] while the Boga has one dorsal fins.[1] The dorsal midline between the Bonnetmouth's fins is regularly scaled.[1] Adults usually grow about 11.4 cm;[3] the maximum recorded individual was 13 cm in length.[4] Bonnetmouths are generally yellowish gray, with some blue anteriorly, with silvery-white on the sides.[3] Adults also have four brown stripes on the upper halves (one mid-dorsal) of their bodies, while juveniles have only three.[3] These stripes are usually more evident anteriorly; they become more and more faded as they approach the Bonnetmouth's tail.[3] Distribution and habitat Found only in the western Atlantic ocean, Bonnetmouths can be seen from southern Florida and the Bahamas to northern South America. They can be captured most often near the Florida keys, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas.[1] In fact, the type specimens were both collected off the Bahamas' Cat island[1] They are generally associated with reefs[5] and can be found over coral heads in small groups.[4] Bonnetmouths can be found at depths from 3– 90 meters, but mainly occur in schools at about 64m.[6] References 1. ^ a b c d e f Bohlke, James E. Charles C. G. Chaplin. Fishes of the Bahamas and Adjacent Tropical Waters. 2nd edition. Austin, UP of Texas. 304.
Source: Wikipedia, Wikispecies: All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License |
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