ANIMAL SPECIES:Banded Morwong, Cheilodactylus spectabilis (Hutton, 1872)
The species name comes from the Latin word spectabilis, which means notable or showy. This name presumably refers to the striking banded pattern of the species.
Identification
The Banded Morwong is recognised by its distinctive pattern of seven or eight broad dark coloured bands. Many species of Morwongs (family Cheilodactylidae) are known to have distinctly elongated pectoral fin rays. The pectoral rays of the Banded Morwong however are only slightly elongated.
Size range
It grows to a maximum length of about 1 m.Distribution
The species is most abundant in Tasmania and New Zealand. It is not often seen in south eastern mainland Australia so the photographer was surprised to see it in 8 m of water at Shark Point, Sydney, New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Banded Morwong specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The Banded Morwong lives in marine waters down to a depth of 50 m.
Classification
- Species:
- spectabilis
- Genus:
- Cheilodactylus
- Family:
- Cheilodactylidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Brown, R.W. 1956. Composition of Scientific Words. R. W. Brown. Pp. 882.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. in Gomon, M.F, J.C.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
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Lateral view of a Banded Morwong View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
Banded Morwong amongst kelp View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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2 comments
Mark McGrouther
3.06 PM, 26 June 2009
Thank you for your comment Sascha, The database records many specimen of Red Morwong from NSW and only one from Victoria. Officially the species occurs south to Malacoota, Vic, but is rare in the region. There are specimens of Banded Morwong from both NSW and Victoria. Your observations sound good to me.
Sascha Schulz
3.06 PM, 26 June 2009
Just a note on the abundance of C. spectabilis based on my experience. North of Batemans Bay the species may well be considered rare, however its abundance increases as you go south, and once you reach the port of Eden near the NSW/VIC border, it is the most common morwong species encountered in shallow water (<20m). This coincides with a decrease in Red Morwong (C. fuscus) abundance, the species being virtually absent south of Eden.
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