Family Trichiuridae Phylum Chordata Order Perciformes | Species T. cristatus Rank Genus | |
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Similar Tentoriceps cristatus, Perciformes, Razorback scabbardfish | ||
Tentoriceps is a monotypic genus of cutlassfish, family Trichiuridae, from the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The sole species is Tentoriceps cristatus. Its common name is crested hairtail.
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Distribution
Tentoriceps cristatus has Indo-West Pacific distribution: it is found in the Indian Ocean (including the Red Sea) and in the Western Pacific Ocean, between the Tasman Sea and southern Japan. It is a benthopelagic to pelagic species that occurs in coastal waters 30–110 m (98–361 ft) deep, but avoids areas of low salinity.
Description
Typical for cutlassfishes, Tentoriceps cristatus has extremely elongate and strongly compressed, ribbon-like body, tapering to a point. The dorsal profile of head is evenly convex. It grows to a maximum length of about 90 cm (35 in) TL, but common length is 30–70 cm (12–28 in) TL.
Fisheries
Tentoriceps cristatus is a minor commercial species caught mainly mixed with other cutlassfish in southeast Asian countries.