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Longtail Dottyback
Ogilbyina velifera (Lubbock, 1980)
A Longtail Dottyback at a depth of 10 m, 'Pixie Gardens', Ribbon Reef #9, Great Barrier Reef off Cooktown, Queensland, June 2002. Photo © E. Schlögl. View larger image.
The Longtail Dottyback can be recognised by its lanceolate tail and colouration. Males are grey to yellowish. The top of the head is blue and there is a dark spot at the front of the dorsal fin. Females and juveniles are purplish to pinkish. The top of the head and front of the dorsal fin are yellowish.
It grows to 12 cm in length.
This species is endemic to Australia, occurring on coral reefs from the northern to southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
In some publications, this species is called the Sailfin Dottyback.
Related links
- View the Dottybacks list
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
