General Description

Body long, slender; head stout, snout long; eye small, on top of head; anterior dorsal-fin rays long, especially in males. Red to purplish above, pale below, fins yellow, with red, orange and brown blotches and spots, eye orange. To 69 cm.

Biology

This species feeds on molluscs, crustaceans and other fishes. The flesh is considered good eating.

Habitat

Subtropical and temperate waters, in bays, inlets and inshore and offshore reefs, especially areas with macroalgal cover, in depths of 15-250 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Threadsails

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

69 cm

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