Reef Watch Fish List and Identification Guide

Wrasses (Labridae) The family includes more than 400 with a huge range of sizes and shapes, with a number found in South Australian waters western blue groper Achoerodus gouldii black-Spotted wrasse Austrolabrus macuIatus blue-Throated wrasse Notolabrus tetricus senator wrasse Pictilabrus laticlavius Rock whiting, weed whiting (Odacidae) Closely related to the rainbow cale acroptilus Odax cyanomelas long-rayed weed whiting radiatus Weedfishes (Clinidae) - small fishes with modified finger-like ventral fins positioned below the back of the head. Most have the first few spines of the connected by an indented membrane to the rayed section. About a third of the 100 species in this family are found in southern . Johnston’s weedfish Heteroclinus johnstoni common weedfish Heteroclinus perspicillatus Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) The butterflyfishes are a group of about 120 species that are mainly restricted to coral reefs. Generally round, small bodies and have concave foreheads. Many have elongated mouths that allow them to pick out tiny invertebrates from crevices. One species, the Western Talma (Chelmonops curiosus) is found in the temperate waters of South Australia, and has a triangular body western talma Chelmonops curiosus Old Wives (Enoplosidae) The old wife (Enoplosus armatus) is the only Australian species of its family. It resembles the butterflyfishes but has two dorsal fins old wife Enoplosus armatus Stinkfish (Callionymidae) easily recognised by eyes close together on top of the head, a small downward-projecting mouth, a large tailfin, large fan-shaped ventral fins, and a gill opening reduced in size to a small pore. They also lack scales and have a slimy skin with a foul taste (hence the name). Males are general more colourful than females and can possess very long fins or rays. Most of the 130 species occur in the tropics common stinkfish Foetorepus calauropomus Thornfishes (Bovichthyidae) small fishes with flattened heads and large eyes set close together near the top of the body. They have two dorsal fins, the first of which is short and spiny, and strong ventral fins under the head used for perching. The seven recognised species in this family all occur on coasts adjoining the Southern Ocean dragonet Bovichtus angustifrons Leatherjackets (Monocanthidae) easily identified by their long spine over the eye and a leathery skin that includes numerous tiny embedded scales. The main spine of most species can be depressed into a groove or locked into place by a small spine located just behind. More than half of the estimated 90 species occur in Australia, generally in temperate waters. yellow-striped leatherjacket Meuschenia flavolineata horseshoe leathejacket Meuschenia hippocrepis Other leatherjackets: bridled leatherjacket Acanthaluteres spilomelanrus toothbrush leatherjacket Acanthaluteres vittiger six-spined leatherjacket Meuschenia freycineti blue-lined leatherjacket Meuschenia galii spiny-tailed leatherjacket Acanthaluteres brownii velvet leatherjacket Meuschenia scaber Temperate boxfishes (Ostraciidae) Rigid outer box-like covering, which is formed from large, fused triangular plates. There are eleven species in this family Shaw’s cowfish Aracana aurita ornate cowfish Aracana ornata Toadfishes (Tetradontidae) Torpedo shaped bodies, rounded dorsal and anal fins set at the back of the body, soft skin lacking scales and teetch fused into a beak. There are about 100 species in this family smooth toadfish Tetractenos glaber Porcupine fishes (Diodontidae) Bodies covered in large spines (formed from modified scales) and slow movement. There are about 20 species in this family globe fish Diodon nicthemerus Blue devilfishes, hulafishes (Plesiopodiae) This family contains both perch-like species, which occur as solitary individuals and elongate species which form dense schools western blue devil Paraplesiops meleagris southern hulafish Trachinops caudimaculatus yellow-headed hulafish Trachinops noarlungae Long-finned pikes (Dinolestidae) Body elongate, lower jaw jutted, long yellow fin. Only one species in this family. Long-finned pike Dinolestes lewini Boarfishes (Pentacerotidae) predominantly deepwater species with pointed snouts and heads encased in bony plates. The long-snouted boarfish (Pentaceropsis recurvirostris) is the only species to be regularly seen in shallow Australian waters, usually near caves or ledges long-snouted boarfish Pentaceropsis recurvirostris Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) a large family of approximately 300 fishes, usually associated with coral reefs. Damselfish are generally small and brightly coloured and have large scales and two spines at the start of the anal fin, the first being much shorter than the second. The Victorian Scalyfin (Parma victoriae) is the only recorded in South Australia Victorian scalyfin Parma victoriae Sea carps (Aplodactylidae) mottled coloration, rounded heads and fleshy lower rays to the pectoral fins. Three of the five species in this family are found in Australian waters, but only the southern sea carp (Aplodactylus actidens) has been recorded in South Australia southern sea carp Aplodactylus arctidens Rock cods, sea perches (Serranidae) harlequin fish Othos dentex Morwongs (Cheilodactylidae) large fishes with rubbery lips and the lower four to seven rays of the pectoral fin unbranched, thickened and at least one greatly elongated. There are about 20 species, the majority occuring in southern Australia magpie perch Cheilodactylus nigripes dusky morwong Dactylophora nigricans Goatfishes (Mullidae) two long barbels below the chin. Many species take on a bright red colour at night or when stressed. There are an estimated 60 species goat fish Upeneichthys vlamingii Bullseyes (Pempheridae) a deep-bodied fish with large eyes and anal fins that are elongate near the front and sweep in a crescent back towards the tail. They have very small ventral fins and a relatively small dorsal fin. There are about 20 species in this family common bullseye Pempheris multiradiata Drummers (Kyphosidae) solid, oval-shaped fishes with small mouths and usually 11 spines at the start of the dorsal fin. There are ten species, the most commonly observed in South Australia being the silver drummer silver drummer sydneyanus Blackfishes (Girellidae) very similar to drummers but have more dorsal fin spines and a different arrangement of teeth. The zebra fish ( zebra), found in South Australia, is one of ten species in this family zebra fish Girella zebra Sweep (Scorpididae) deep-bodies fishes related to the drummers. They have scales over most of the body, including the sides of the head and the fin bases. About half of the species belonging to the family live in temperate Australian waters Sea Sweep Scorpis aequipinnis Banded Sweep Scorpis georgiana Moonlighter Tilodon sexfasciatus Seadragons, seahorses & pipefish (Syngnathidae) weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus leafy seadragon Phycodurus eques Bullhead sharks (Heterodontidae) Port Jackson shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni Wobbegongs (Orectolobidae) Wobbegong Orectolobus ornatus Guitarfishes (Rhinobatidae) Fiddler Ray Trygonorrhina fasciata Stingrays (Dasyatidae) Smooth Stingray Dasyatis brevicaudata

Primary References:

• Edgar, G., 2000. Australian Marine Life – the Plants and of Temperate Waters. Reed Books • Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2002. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, 02 January 2003