Black Striped Salema

Appearance

"Xenocys jessiae" has a relatively slender, elongated body, notably different from most related species. The head is conical in shape and has large eyes and a short diagonal mouth with a protruding lower jaw. It has very small teeth which are set in bands on the flaws and the palate. The dorsal fin is not continuous, the anterior spiny portion is completely divided from the posterior soft- rayed part. The dorsal fin contains 10 spines in the anterior portion and a single spine and 13-14 soft rays. The anal fin has 3 small spines and 10-11 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 30 cm. The back is dark silvery-grey in colour, frequently showing yellowish green, yellowish blue or blue-green tints. The colour shades to paler silver on the flanks and to silvery-white on the underparts. There are 7 black, horizontal stripes along the flanks.

Distribution

"Xenocys jessiae" is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean where it is endemic to the waters around the Galápagos Islands.

Behavior

"Xenocys jessiae" is found at depths between 0 and 20 m. It forms dense scoops in these shallow waters. These spend the day along rock walls and over rocky slopes. They feed on plankton and small fishes. It is an oviparous species, spawning in distinct pairs.

Habitat

"Xenocys jessiae" is found at depths between 0 and 20 m. It forms dense scoops in these shallow waters. These spend the day along rock walls and over rocky slopes. They feed on plankton and small fishes. It is an oviparous species, spawning in distinct pairs.