Alexander I. Markevich, Russland
Info
Ernogrammus zhirmunskii occurs in rocky substrate at a depth of 2.5 -11.3 meters at a water temperature of 14ºC to 21ºC between July and September.
It is a secretive species which, under normal conditions, rarely leaves its hiding places under rocks during the day and usually only exposes the front part of its body.
In contrast to Ernogrammus hexagrammus (Schlegel, 1845) , the Six-banded Spinytail is often found in the same rocky habitat, Ernogrammus zhirmunskii is inactive at night.
The basic body color of living fish is brown, with numerous small grey-white spots and dots.
There are sometimes 7-8 narrow (not larger than the eye diameter) and short white longitudinal stripes across the back, which extend to the dorsal fin.
Below these stripes, a row of rounded white spots can be seen on the ventral part of the body.
Two broad black stripes with a narrow white stripe between them can be seen near the base of the pectoral fin.
These stripes are followed by alternating indistinct black and white stripes.
Four type specimens, including the holotype, have a clearly visible dark spot on the anterior dorsal fin, the other fish do not.
The base of the caudal fin is white and has a broad vertical yellow stripe and 3 brown stripes alternating with narrow white stripes.
The head is marked with irregularly arranged small white dots, stripes are missing.
No significant differences were found between the sexes in terms of morphological characteristics and coloration.
Distribution.
The only known locality of the fish is the coast of Bol’shoy Pelis Island. In addition to the typical locality in the bay on the northern coast of the island, 2 specimens were collected at the southwestern tip of the same island, in the Molchanskiy bay.
This cold-water species is not specifically marketed.
Etymology. The species is named after an outstanding scientist involved in marine biology, ecology and comparative physiology, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexey V. Zhirmunsky (1921-2000).
He was the founder and head of the Institute of Marine Biology (Far Eastern Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok) and initiator of the Far East Marine Protected Area.
Alexey V. Zhirmunsky made a significant contribution to the development of marine biology in the Russian Far East. His talent as a scientist and organizer turned the Institute of Marine Biology and the Far Eastern Marine Biosphere Reserve into major scientific and conservation organizations.
It is a secretive species which, under normal conditions, rarely leaves its hiding places under rocks during the day and usually only exposes the front part of its body.
In contrast to Ernogrammus hexagrammus (Schlegel, 1845) , the Six-banded Spinytail is often found in the same rocky habitat, Ernogrammus zhirmunskii is inactive at night.
The basic body color of living fish is brown, with numerous small grey-white spots and dots.
There are sometimes 7-8 narrow (not larger than the eye diameter) and short white longitudinal stripes across the back, which extend to the dorsal fin.
Below these stripes, a row of rounded white spots can be seen on the ventral part of the body.
Two broad black stripes with a narrow white stripe between them can be seen near the base of the pectoral fin.
These stripes are followed by alternating indistinct black and white stripes.
Four type specimens, including the holotype, have a clearly visible dark spot on the anterior dorsal fin, the other fish do not.
The base of the caudal fin is white and has a broad vertical yellow stripe and 3 brown stripes alternating with narrow white stripes.
The head is marked with irregularly arranged small white dots, stripes are missing.
No significant differences were found between the sexes in terms of morphological characteristics and coloration.
Distribution.
The only known locality of the fish is the coast of Bol’shoy Pelis Island. In addition to the typical locality in the bay on the northern coast of the island, 2 specimens were collected at the southwestern tip of the same island, in the Molchanskiy bay.
This cold-water species is not specifically marketed.
Etymology. The species is named after an outstanding scientist involved in marine biology, ecology and comparative physiology, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexey V. Zhirmunsky (1921-2000).
He was the founder and head of the Institute of Marine Biology (Far Eastern Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok) and initiator of the Far East Marine Protected Area.
Alexey V. Zhirmunsky made a significant contribution to the development of marine biology in the Russian Far East. His talent as a scientist and organizer turned the Institute of Marine Biology and the Far Eastern Marine Biosphere Reserve into major scientific and conservation organizations.
