Latin name

Glossanodon australis

Other name

Glossanodon australis

Identification

Glossanodon: Greek, glossa = tongue + Greek, anodos = without teeth.

These are small fish, similar in appearance to the smelt, but with a much smaller mouth. They have an elongated body covered with small scales. They also have a small mouth and large eyes on the sides of the head.

Features of fish fins

The tail fin is bifurcated. The dorsal fin is single, located near the centre of the body.

Fish colouring

The body is silvery coloured. The species has a dark longitudinal stripe along the midline above the lateral line and a pigmented throat area.

Distribution

Widespread in the southwest Pacific: off the coast of eastern Australia, including the Tasman Sea.

Habitat

A marine bottom-dwelling fish that prefers temperate climates. Habitat depths range from 140m to 331m.

Size

Males reach a maximum length of 19.1 cm. 

Behavior

They live in large groups near the bottom. 

Food and feeding habits

They feed on plankton, with krill as the mainstay of their diet, along with amphipods, small cephalopods, bristlebacks and scallops.

Reproduction

The biology of this species has not been studied. Their eggs are probably small (1 to 3 mm in diameter) and pelagic. Larvae are pelagic, larval development is gradual, transformation into immature individuals is accompanied by a transition to a benthic lifestyle.

Fishing

This species is not commercially important.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.