Animal Species:Banded Cucumberfish, Paraulopus balteatus Gomon 2010
The Banded Cucumberfish was formally named in 2010 by Museum Victoria's Dr Martin Gomon. The species name 'balteatus' comes from Latin and means 'belted or banded'. This refers to the banding on the sides of the body.
Standard Common Name
The species looks similar to the Piedtip Cucumberfish, Paraulopus okamurai. In addition to differences in proportions and fin ray counts, the two species can be distinguished by their colour patterns. As its name suggests the Banded Cucumberfish has distinct bands on the body compared with brown blotches on the body of the Piedtip Cucumberfish. In addition the dorsal fin of P. balteatus has a distinct white margin and an obvious dark sub-marginal band.
It grows to at least 32 cm (standard length).
The species occurs in the Tasman Sea at depths between 300 m and 800 m.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution by collection data
- Gomon, M.F. 2010. A new species of Paraulopus (Aulopiformes: Paraulopidae) from seamounts of the Tasman Sea. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 67: 15–18.
Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology