Band-fish

Band-fish (Cepola), a genus in the family Cepolidae in the blenny-form division of Acanthopterygious Fishes (q.v.). The body is much elongated and laterally compressed, and is covered by very small scales. The dorsal fin is very long, and consists like the anal of soft rays. The tail vertebrae are very numerous, and the whole structure of the body exhibits unusual delicacy, so that specimens are seldom obtained in an uninjured state. All the species inhabit quiet depths, and are unable to contend with waves and currents. The snakelike form and the beauty of their colours make them objects of great interest. One species, the Red Band-fish (C. rubescens), not uncommon in the Mediterranean, is occasionally cast ashore by storms on the British coasts. It is about 15 inches long. Its brilliant appearance, when seen moving in the water, has suggested the names of Fire-flame and Red Ribbon, by which it is known at Nice. The home of the genus is in Japanese waters.