Emmelichthyops atlanticus
Encyclopedia
The Bonnetmouth, Emmelichthyops atlanticus, is an ocean
-going species
of fish
in the Bonnetmouth family
, or Inermiidae. It is also known as the Bogita and the Slender bonnetmouth in the Bahamas and the John moriggle in Jamaica. The Bonnetmouth is the only member of the genus
Emmelichthyops, and is one of only two species in its family, the other being the Boga
, Inermia vittata.
, or Inermia vittata. The Bonnetmouth, however, has a more cigar-shaped body than its relative. They also have a two distinct dorsal fins, with 10-11 spines
and the same number of rays, while the Boga has one dorsal fins. The dorsal midline between the Bonnetmouth's fins is regularly scaled. Adults usually grow about 11.4 cm; the maximum recorded individual was 13 cm in length.
Bonnetmouths are generally yellowish gray, with some blue anteriorly, with silvery-white on the sides. Adults also have four brown stripes on the upper halves (one mid-dorsal) of their bodies, while juveniles have only three. These stripes are usually more evident anteriorly; they become more and more faded as they approach the Bonnetmouth's tail.
, Bonnetmouths can be seen from southern Florida
and the Bahamas to northern South America
. They can be captured most often near the Florida keys
, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas. In fact, the type specimens were both collected off the Bahamas' Cat island
They are generally associated with reef
s and can be found over coral
heads in small groups. Bonnetmouths can be found at depths from 3– 90 meters, but mainly occur in schools at about 64m.
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
-going species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
in the Bonnetmouth family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
, or Inermiidae. It is also known as the Bogita and the Slender bonnetmouth in the Bahamas and the John moriggle in Jamaica. The Bonnetmouth is the only member of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Emmelichthyops, and is one of only two species in its family, the other being the Boga
Boga (fish)
The Boga, Inermia vittata, is an ocean-going species of fish in the Bonnetmouth family, or Inermiidae. Bogas are also known as the Snit in Jamaica, and Bonnetmouth in the Bahamas. The Boga is the only known member of the genus Inermia, and one of only two species in its family...
, Inermia vittata.
Description
Bonnetmouths are similar to the only other member of its family, the BogaBoga (fish)
The Boga, Inermia vittata, is an ocean-going species of fish in the Bonnetmouth family, or Inermiidae. Bogas are also known as the Snit in Jamaica, and Bonnetmouth in the Bahamas. The Boga is the only known member of the genus Inermia, and one of only two species in its family...
, or Inermia vittata. The Bonnetmouth, however, has a more cigar-shaped body than its relative. They also have a two distinct dorsal fins, with 10-11 spines
Spine (zoology)
A spine is a hard, thorny or needle-like structure which occurs on various animals. Animals such as porcupines and sea urchins grow spines as a self-defense mechanism. Spines are often formed of keratin...
and the same number of rays, while the Boga has one dorsal fins. The dorsal midline between the Bonnetmouth's fins is regularly scaled. Adults usually grow about 11.4 cm; the maximum recorded individual was 13 cm in length.
Bonnetmouths are generally yellowish gray, with some blue anteriorly, with silvery-white on the sides. Adults also have four brown stripes on the upper halves (one mid-dorsal) of their bodies, while juveniles have only three. These stripes are usually more evident anteriorly; they become more and more faded as they approach the Bonnetmouth's tail.
Distribution and habitat
Found only in the western Atlantic oceanAtlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, Bonnetmouths can be seen from southern Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and the Bahamas to northern South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. They can be captured most often near the Florida keys
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. They begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited Dry...
, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas. In fact, the type specimens were both collected off the Bahamas' Cat island
Cat Island (Bahamas)
Cat Island is in the central Bahamas, and one of its districts, and has the nation's highest point. Its Mount Alvernia rises to 206 ft and is topped by a monastery called The Hermitage. This assembly of buildings was erected by the Franciscan "Brother Jerome" .The first European settlers were...
They are generally associated with reef
Reef
In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water ....
s and can be found over coral
Coral
Corals are marine animals in class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton.A coral "head" is a colony of...
heads in small groups. Bonnetmouths can be found at depths from 3– 90 meters, but mainly occur in schools at about 64m.