Zu cristatus (Bonelli, 1819)
Scalloped ribbonfish
Zu cristatus
photo by JAMARC

Family:  Trachipteridae (Ribbonfishes)
Max. size:  118 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine
Distribution:  Circumglobal in the tropical through temperate Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 120-150; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 62-69. Young silvery in color with around 6 vertical bars on dorsal part of body and 4 on ventral part; tail with around 6 complete black bars; caudal fin blackish, base of fin pale (Ref. 2713). Adults silver grey in color but paler ventrally; dorsal fin scarlet; caudal fin reddish black, darker distally (Ref. 2713).
Biology:  Oceanic (Ref. 26340) and mesopelagic species. Adults feed on small fishes and squids (Ref. 6392). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 36610). Swim with head up (Ref. 36731). Maximum depth reported in Ref. 36610 is 90m. Other references should be looked for.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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