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Barred Longtom
Ablennes hians (Valenciennes, 1846)
An 86cm long Barred Longtom caught on hook and line by A. Hawkins, Gnarloo Station, southern end of Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, June 1987. View larger image.
The Barred Longtom has long thin jaws with relatively large, pointed teeth. The thin, ribbon-like body is deep blue to greenish-blue above. The sides are silvery with dark bars that are most obvious posteriorly.
This species grows to 1.2m in length.
It is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceanic waters. Young fish sometimes enter bays and inlets.
In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the central coast of New South Wales.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Grant, E.M. 1982. Guide to Fishes. The Department of Harbours and Marine, Brisbane, Queensland. Pp. 896.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
