Blue moki

Blue moki
A photograph showing a Blue Moki from New Zealand.
Blue Moki
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Latridae
Genus: Latridopsis
Species: L. ciliaris
Binomial name
Latridopsis ciliaris
Synonyms
  • Anthias ciliaris J. R. Forster, 1801

Latridopsis ciliaris, the Blue moki, is a species of trumpeter native to the southwestern Pacific Ocean around New Zealand and occasionally off southeastern Australia at depths of 10 metres (33 ft) and greater. Juveniles inhabit inshore waters, preferring rocky reefs while adults mostly occur in offshore waters forming schools over open bottoms. Some solitary adults can be found on reefs. This species can reach a length of 80 centimetres (31 in) FL, though most do not exceed 63 centimetres (25 in) TL. This species is commercially important and is also popular as a game fish.[1]

Despite the similarities in their common names, the Blue moki is not actually closely related to the red moki (Cheilodactylus spectabilis), a species of morwong.

Blue moki in New Zealand occur throughout mainland waters from the Three Kings Islands to the southern edge of the Snares Shelf, and at the Chatham Islands. A single record of blue moki from the southern end of the Kermadec Island chain was reported, but this requires verification; it is not known if the species occurs elsewhere in the Kermadecs. Blue moki are also found in small numbers at the Auckland Islands.

Notes

  1. ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Latridopsis ciliaris" in FishBase. December 2013 version.

References

  • Kingsford et al. 1989; Museum of New Zealand specimen
  • Francis et al. 1987
  • "Latridopsis ciliaris". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 18 April 2006.
  • Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 978-0-00-216987-5
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