Congrogadinae

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Superclassis/Classis: Actinopterygii
Classis/Subclassis: Actinopteri
Subclassis/Infraclassis: Neopterygii
Infraclassis: Teleostei
Megacohors: Osteoglossocephalai
Supercohors: Clupeocephala
Cohors: Euteleosteomorpha
Subcohors: Neoteleostei
Infracohors: Eurypterygia
Sectio: Ctenosquamata
Subsectio: Acanthomorphata
Divisio/Superordo: Acanthopterygii
Subdivisio: Percomorphaceae
Series: Ovalentaria

Familia: Pseudochromidae
Subfamilia: Congrogadinae
Genus: Blennodesmus - Congrogadus - Halidesmus - Halimuraena - Halimuraenoides - Haliophis - Natalichthys - Rusichthys

References

Hoese, D. F. and A. C. Gill. 2006 Congrogadinae (pp. 1059–1061). In: Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. Fishes.

Winterbottom, R. 1986 (24 Feb.) Revision and vicariance biogeography of the subfamily Congrogadinae (Pisces: Perciformes: Pseudochromidae). Indo-Pacific Fishes No. 9: 1–34, 1 col pl. [Cover date Oct. 1985, issued 24 Feb. 1986 (stamped on original).]

Vernacular names

Congrogadinae is a subfamily of ray-finned fishes, one of four subfamilies that make up the family Pseudochromidae, these elongated fish are commonly called eel-blennies.
Characteristics

The species in the subfamily Congrogadidae have elongated rather eel-like bodies which are covered in with small cycloid scales. Their dorsal fin normally has a single robust spine and 32–79 rays while the anal fin lacks any spines and has 26–66 rays. The dorsal and anal fins are long and the pelvic fin is sometimes present but in more than half the species it is absent. The caudal fin is joined to the long dorsal and anal fins in a small number of species but is separated in all the others. They have a protractable mouth and there is a rear facing spine on the opercle. They have between one and three complete or partial lateral lines. There are no teeth on the palatine and they may or may not be present on the vomerine bone. They grow to a maximum length of 40 centimetres (16 in).[2]

They lay eggs which are covered in hooks, some of which may develop into filaments. The eggs are clumped together in an egg mass the hooks on the eggs' surfaces interlocking with each other, which is most likely guarded by the male.[3]
Distribution and habitat

The species in the Congrogadinae inhabit coral reefs as well as sand and mud substrates from the intertidal zone down to 140 metres (460 ft). They are found in the Indo-Pacific region. There is one species which lives within sponges which is found in the Gulf of Carpentaria.[2] The subfamily is thought to have arisen in the proto Indian Ocean before Gondwanaland broke up and dispersed into the western Pacific Ocean.[4]
Genera

The following genera are included within the Congrogadinae:[1][2]

Blennodesmus Günther, 1872
Congrogadus Günther, 1862
Halidesmus Günther, 1872
Halimuraena J.L.B. Smith, 1952
Halimuraenoides Maugé & Bardach, 1985
Haliophis Rüppell, 1829
Natalichthys Winterbottom, 1980
Rusichthys Winterbottom, 1979

References

Bailly N, ed. (2017). "Congrogadinae Günther, 1862". FishBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
J. S. Nelson; T. C. Grande; M. V. H. Wilson (2016). Fishes of the World (5th ed.). Wiley. p. 752. ISBN 978-1-118-34233-6. Archived from the original on 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2018-10-14.
Randall D. Mooi; Richard Winterbottom & Mary Burridge (1990). "Egg surface morphology, development, and evolution in the Congrogadinae (Pisces: Perciformes: Pseudochromidae)". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 68 (5): 923–934. doi:10.1139/z90-133.
"Description of the book Revision and Vicariance Biogeography of the Subfamily Congrogadinae (Pisces: Perciformes: Pseudochromidae) by Richard Winterbottom". NHBS. Retrieved 14 October 2018.