About Ulvaria subbifurcata (Storer, 1839)
Nomenclature
Scientific name: Ulvaria subbifurcata (Storer, 1839), common name: radiated shanny.
Body Shape
This fish has an elongated, relatively robust, eel-shaped body.
Mouth and Dentition
Its terminal mouth has jaws of similar length lined with small teeth.
Head Features
It has a rounded head and large eyes.
Fin Structure
The long dorsal fin connects to the caudal fin via a membrane, making the two fins confluent, while the long anal fin does not extend all the way to the caudal fin. A large oval spot marks the front portion of the dorsal fin.
Coloration
The radiated shanny has an overall yellowish brown body color, which becomes more yellow on its lower body.
Size
This species reaches a maximum total length of 18 cm (7.1 in).
Distribution
It is distributed in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, along the eastern coast of North America, ranging from the Strait of Belle Isle in Newfoundland south to southern Massachusetts.
Habitat and Depth
It is a benthopelagic species that lives among seaweed on rocky coasts and on hard substrates, found at depths of 55 meters (180 feet) or deeper.
