Common Veilfin

Interesting Info

• The Common Veilfin is a deep-bodied “sail-fin” fish found across the Indo-West Pacific, including parts of southern and eastern Australia.
• In Australia it turns up off northern to central New South Wales, along South Australia, and from about Ceduna to the North-west Shelf in Western Australia; there are also records from Lord Howe Island.
• It lives on the continental shelf rather than the open-ocean abyss, keeping close to the bottom.
• Adults are usually 20–28 cm (8–11 in) long, but some references report rare larger fish up to 40 cm standard length.
• Its tall, ribbon-like front dorsal fin gives the fish a flowing “veil” that makes it look bigger to would-be predators.
• A small dark eyespot sits near the rear of the dorsal fin—an easy ID clue.
• Silvery sides show faint dusky bars, and the tail has diagonal cross-lines like brush strokes.
• Veilfins cruise just above the seafloor and pick off tiny fishes and crustaceans drifting past.
• Juveniles can occur a bit shallower and may shelter around floating objects or jellyfish.
• They’re slow, graceful swimmers that rely on camouflage and odd shape more than speed.
• The family Veliferidae is tiny—only two living species, this one and the Highfin Veilfin.
• “Multiradiatus” means “many-rayed,” a nod to the long, numerous rays in those sail-like fins.
• Predators likely include large shelf fishes and mid-water hunters that patrol drop-offs.
• Because it’s seldom caught, many details of its breeding and lifespan are still a mystery.