Striped boarfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Striped boarfish |
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The striped boarfish (Evistias acutirostris) is a cool fish that lives in the ocean. People also call it the whiskered boarfish or Japanese boarfish. It is a type of ray-finned fish, which means its fins are supported by bony rays. This fish belongs to a group called armourheads.
You can find the striped boarfish in the Pacific Ocean. It lives near places like the Hawaiian Islands, Asia, and Australia. This fish likes to hang out on reefs, deep underwater. It can be found from about 18 to 193 meters (60 to 633 feet) deep. The striped boarfish can grow quite large, up to 90 centimeters (about 3 feet) long! It is the only known species in its group, called Evistias.
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What Does the Striped Boarfish Look Like?
The striped boarfish has a very tall body. It looks steep right behind its head and rounded near its back fin. Its snout, which is like its nose, is long and strong, especially in adult fish.
This fish has special "whiskers" on its lips and chin. These are actually tiny, hair-like structures called villi. The ones on its chin can be very long and sometimes even branch out!
Fins and Colors
The fin on its back, called the dorsal fin, is tall and looks like a sail. It has 4 or 5 strong spines and 26 to 28 soft rays. The spines get longer towards the back of the fin. The front soft rays are even longer than the back spines.
The fin on its belly, called the anal fin, has 3 to 4 spines and 11 to 14 soft rays. The striped boarfish has five wide, dark stripes on its body. Its dorsal, anal, and tail fins are a bright yellow color. As mentioned, this fish can grow up to 90 centimeters (about 3 feet) long.
Where Does the Striped Boarfish Live?
The striped boarfish lives in the Pacific Ocean. It has been seen in many different places. These include Hawaii, Japan, New Zealand, and the Kermadec Islands. You can also find it near Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and the eastern coast of Australia. It has even been spotted as far away as Easter Island!
Striped Boarfish Habitat and Life
The striped boarfish loves to live in coral reefs and rocky areas. You often see them swimming around in pairs. They prefer deeper parts of the reef. You might find them near deep rocky drop-offs or over sandy areas. They live at depths from about 10 to 180 meters (33 to 590 feet).
This fish is a carnivore, which means it eats other animals. Off the coast of Hawaii, striped boarfish have been seen eating brittlestars. Brittlestars are small sea creatures related to starfish. The striped boarfish usually hunts and eats at night.
How Scientists Named the Striped Boarfish
The striped boarfish is the only species in its group, or genus, called Evistias. Scientists first officially described this fish in 1844. Two scientists, Coenraad Jacob Temminck and Hermann Schlegel, gave it the name Histiopterus acutirostris. They found the first fish they studied near Ōmura, which is close to Nagasaki in Japan.
Later, in 1907, another scientist named David Starr Jordan decided to put this fish into its own special genus, Evistias.
