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Brown topknot facts for kids

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Brown topknot
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Synonyms
  • Tripterygium compressum Hutton, 1872
  • Auchenopterus compressus (Hutton, 1872)

The brown topknot (scientific name: Notoclinus compressus) is a small fish that lives only in New Zealand. It belongs to a group of fish called triplefins, which are known for having three separate dorsal fins on their back. This fish was first described by a scientist named Frederick Hutton in 1872.

Brown topknots are usually found in rocky areas near the coast. They live in rock pools and shallow waters, down to about 5 meters deep. They like places with broken rocks and large brown seaweed, especially types like Carpophyllum and Cystophora. These fish are quite small, growing up to about 8.5 centimeters long.

Where Brown Topknots Live

Brown topknots are special because they are endemic to New Zealand. This means they are found naturally nowhere else in the world. They live in the Southwest Pacific Ocean, specifically around the coasts of New Zealand.

Their Ocean Home

These fish prefer a temperate climate, which means the water is not too hot and not too cold. They live on the ocean floor, which is called the demersal zone. This habitat provides them with shelter among the rocks and seaweed, where they can hide from predators and find food. The large brown algae (seaweed) is a very important part of their home.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Notoclinus compressus para niños

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