PORT PHILLIP BAY


Goblinfish 

Glyptauchen panduratus (Richardson, 1850)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Meristics.
Dorsal fin spines/rays: XVI-XVIII, 6-7
Anal fin spines/rays: III, 5
Caudal fin rays: 12
Pectoral fin rays: 13-15
Ventral fin spines/rays: I, 5
Lateral line: 27-29

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 diverse group of bottom-dwelling fishes with a bony ridge, or stay across the cheek connecting the bones under the eye with the gill cover. Most species have spines projecting from bony ridges on the head and some have spines projecting from the gill cover. Many species are well-camouflaged ambush predators, often with elaborate cirri, filaments, leaf-like appendages and spiny ridges enhancing their camouflage. Scales are present or absent. Gurnards (also called searobins) have a pair of rostral spines projecting from the snout, large colourful wing-like pectoral fins and crawl over the bottom on their finger-like pelvic-fin rays. Many species have venomous spines.

Family level detail.
Small bottom-dwelling ambush predators with prominent erectile spines under the eye and 13-17 venomous dorsal-fin spines. Most live in shallow bays, estuaries and coastal waters, although some are found deeper.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Scorpaeniformes
Family:
Tetrarogidae
Genus:
Glyptauchen
Species:
panduratus

General Description

Body elongate, compressed; head rounded to squarish, with a deep groove or notch on top behind eyes; a large erectile spine below eye; spinous part of dorsal fin very long; pectoral fins large. Colour variable, often mottled tan above with lower side of head dark; a dark band across rear part of the body; tail base and rear of dorsal and anal fins pale; small black spots and creamy white patches scattered on body and fins; eye ringed with red. To 19 cm.

Biology

These bizarre, nocturnal ambush predators are very well camouflaged and rarely seen. Their fin spines are venomous.

Habitat

Rocky reefs in bays and along the coast, often under jetties and piers, in depths of 3-22 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Scorpionfishes

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

19 cm

Harmful

Venomous spines can inflict mild to severe pain.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

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, Goblinfish, Glyptauchen panduratus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 26 Jul 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6492

Text: creative commons cc by licence