Capros rhenanus Weiler, 1920

Capros rhenanus Weiler, 1920
Oligocene
Rowne
Poland

Capros rhenanus is a member of the family Caproidae (Boarfish) belonging to the order Zeiformes. (Capros = boar from the Greek kapros). All members of this order are characterized by a laterally compressed body that is as high as it is long. Boarfishes typically have three anal spines that are completely separated from the five soft rays of the anal fin. The pectoral fins are rounded, the pelvic fins set below them (1 stout spine and 5 slightly softer finrays). The first dorsal fin consists of about nine to ten spikes, the second dorsal fin has 23 to 25 soft finrays. The large eye is well suited to its habitat in deep marine waters ranging from 40m to 600m. The protractile mouth, forming a small tube when protuded, is perfect for catching small copepods, mysids, benthic crustaceans and worms. The living species are characterized by red coloration. Abundant on the edge of the Continental Shelfes, occurring in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.

Capros aper, Wikipedia



J.Swidnicki, Acta Palaeontologica Polonica Vol31,p111-135, 1986
Oligocene Zeiformes from the Polish Carpathians