PORT PHILLIP BAY


Harlequin Fish 

Othos dentex (Cuvier, 1828)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Meristics.
Dorsal fin spines/rays: X, 18
Anal fin spines/rays: III, 8
Caudal fin rays: 17
Pectoral fin rays: 15
Ventral fin spines/rays: I, 5
Lateral line: 81-87

Interpreting fin count meristics.
Spines are in Roman numerals and soft rays are in Arabic numerals. Spines and rays that are continuous in one fin are separated by a comma. Fin sections are separated by semicolons.

Detailed descriptions of fin count and other meristics are in:
Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) (2008) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Order level detail.
A large and highly diverse group of modern bony fishes many of which have a generalized perch like body form. Most have pelvic fins with one spine and 5 rays and the maxillary bone is excluded from the gape of the mouth. Interrelationships of the group are poorly understood and continue to be studied. They inhabit almost all aquatic habitats from high-altitude strams to the deep sea, although most are marine.

Family level detail.
A large and diverse group of small to very large fishes, often with robust bodies, large mouths, often with prominent canine teeth in jaws. Most have a continuous dorsal fin and usually have three spines on the outer bones of the gill cover, and notches or serrations on the inner bone. All are carnivores, although many species feed on plankton.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Serranidae
Genus:
Othos
Species:
dentex

General Description

Body long, moderately slender, head large, dorsal profile slightly convex, hind margin of gill cover with a pointed flap and three spines, eyes on top of head. Mouth large, extending beyond eye, front of jaws with enormous canine teeth visible when mouth closed. Colours highly variable: orange, pink green, brown and red forms, greyish below, with large yellow to green spots below and bluish spots above, head and upper body with blue dashes or dots, and a large red blotch at pectoral-fin base. To 76 cm.

Biology

These fishes occur mostly in areas with caves and large boulders.

Habitat

Exposed reefs, to depth of 30 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia, including western and central Victoria.

Species Group

Fishes › Seaperches and allies

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

76 cm

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Bray, D.J.

Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Gomon, M.F.

Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Harlequin Fish, Othos dentex, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 12 Dec 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6437

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