Albula oligolepis explained

Albula oligolepis is a species of marine fish found in the Indo-West Pacific. It is known commonly as the smallscale bonefish. They grow up to 32cm (13inches).

Taxonomy

Bonefish were once believed to be a single species with a global distribution, however 9 different species have since been identified. There are three identified species in the Atlantic and six in the Pacific.^[1]

Albula oligolepis was formerly identified as A. argentea (called A. forsteri or A. neoguinacea in some sources).^[2] However, Hidaka et al. (2008) recognized the Indian and Australian populations are distinct from Albula argentea, naming them A. oligolepis.^[3]

Description

Albula oligolepis is similar to A. argentea and A. virgata in length of the upper jaw, but differs in having fewer vertebrae and pored lateral-line scales, as well as having the tip of pelvic fin not reaching beyond anterior edge of anus.^[3]

Distribution

Albula oligolepis is widespread in the Indian Ocean and the coast of Australia.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Suescun . Alex . All About Bonefish . saltwatersportsman.com . Salt Water Sportsman . 10 December 2020.
2. Randall JE, Bauchot ML (1999) Clarification of the two Indo-Pacific species of bonefishes, Albula glossodonta and A. forsteri. Cybium 23:79–83
3. Hidaka, K., Y. Iwatsuki and J.E. Randall, 2008. A review of the Indo-Pacific bonefishes of the Albula argentea complex, with a description of a new species. Ichthyol. Res. 55:53-64.