Species: Psenes arafurensis, Banded Fat-head, Banded Driftfish, Banded Fathead Driftfish

Psenes arafurensis Günther, 1889

Banded Fat-head, Banded Driftfish, Banded Fathead Driftfish

Body firm, oval, deep (depth > 40% of SL), more so in juveniles, compressed; eye large, usually with a fatty ring around it; operculum thin, with 2 short spines; mouth small, opens at front; top jaw teeth small, conical, in 1 row, wide spaced; adult lower jaw with long, knife-like teeth, close-set; teeth on front and sides of roof of mouth, and base of gill arches, none on tongue; 2 scarcely separate dorsal fins, X-XI + I-II, 18-22, its origin before, or, in large specimens, over pectoral origin; in adult pectoral fins long and wing-like, with oblique bases, somewhat pointed (short, rounded in juvenile), 18-20 rays; anal fin II weak spines, 21-23; pelvic fins originate under pectoral base, attached to the abdomen, fold into a groove; adult tail fin deeply forked, rounded tips in juvenile; branched mucous canal system under thin skin along midline of flank; scales small, 55-62 on lateral line, very thin, cover bases of median fins, on top of head in a narrow band, reach only to between eyes; lateral line high on body.

Adult uniform dark to black, bases of median fins not translucent; juvenile silvery to pale brown, with mottling or barring.

Size: 25 cm.

Habitat: oceanic.

Depth: 0-500 m?

Circumtropical; throughout our area.