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

• Fishes - Sea Basses

Conservation Status

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