Highfin Veilfin

Interesting Info

• The Highfin Veilfin is a rare and unusual fish found in northern Australia and across the Indo-West Pacific, including Indonesia and the Arafura Sea.
• In Australia it has been recorded from Shark Bay in Western Australia, through the Northern Territory and Gulf of Carpentaria.
• It belongs to the family Veliferidae, which contains only two living species: the Highfin Veilfin and the Common Veilfin.
• Adults grow to around 30–40 cm (12–16 in), with a maximum size near 45 cm (18 in).
• The body is deep and laterally compressed, coloured bluish-green with 6–7 dusky bars across the sides, the first forming a dark blotch before the dorsal fin.
• Its most striking feature is the tall sail-like dorsal fin, with rays highest at the front and trailing behind, giving the fish its “veilfin” name.
• A small eyespot (ocellus) marks the rear of the dorsal fin, a handy identification clue for scientists.
• It lives in bays, nearshore reefs, and adjacent coastal waters.
• It feeds on small crustaceans and fishes drifting in the water column.
• Juveniles are sometimes collected closer to the surface and may use floating debris or jellyfish for shelter.
• This species is rarely seen alive, it is mostly known from trawl bycatch and occasional research surveys.
• The scientific name hypselopterus means “high-finned” in Greek, referring to its towering dorsal fin rays.