Painted moki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Painted moki |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Cheilodactylidae
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| Genus: |
Cheilodactylus
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| Species: |
C. ephippium
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| Binomial name | |
| Cheilodactylus ephippium McCulloch & Waite, 1916
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The painted moki (Cheilodactylus ephippium) is a fascinating type of fish known as a morwong. These fish live in the ocean around southern Australia, near Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and the northern parts of New Zealand, including the Kermadec Islands. They enjoy rocky reefs and coastal areas, from shallow waters down to about 250 meters deep. A painted moki can grow up to 50 centimeters long, which is about the length of a large ruler!
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Discovering the Painted Moki
The painted moki was first officially described by two scientists, Allan Riverstone McCulloch and Edgar Ravenswood Waite, in 1916. They gave it the scientific name Cheilodactylus ephippium. This name helps scientists all over the world know exactly which fish they are talking about.
Where Painted Mokis Live
These fish are found in the Pacific Ocean around several islands and coastlines. They prefer places where the seafloor is rocky, providing lots of hiding spots and places to find food. Their habitat stretches across a wide area, showing how adaptable these fish are to different parts of the ocean.
Ocean Homes
- Southern Australia: The waters off the southern coast of Australia are a key home for the painted moki.
- Lord Howe Island: This small island in the Tasman Sea is another important location.
- Norfolk Island: East of Australia, Norfolk Island's waters also host these fish.
- New Zealand: Especially the northern parts, including the Kermadec Islands, which are a group of islands far northeast of New Zealand.
What Makes Them Special
Painted mokis are part of a larger group of fish called morwongs. For a long time, scientists thought the painted moki belonged to the Cheilodactylus genus within the Cheilodactylidae family. However, science is always learning new things!
New Discoveries in Fish Families
Thanks to modern studies using genetic information (looking at DNA) and morphology (studying how their bodies are shaped), scientists have learned something new. They found that the painted moki is actually more closely related to fish in the Morwong genus, which is part of the Latridae family. This means that even though it was traditionally placed in one group, new evidence showed it fits better in another. It's like finding out a distant cousin is actually a closer relative than you thought!
