Animal Species:Barber Perch, Caesioperca rasor (Richardson, 1839)

Alternative Name/s

The Barber Perch has also been called the Barber Sea Perch, Red Perch, Tasmanian Barber.

Identification

The Barber Perch can be recognised by its colouration. Small juveniles are pink with a black head. Larger juveniles and females are pink with a blue line under the eyes. Males are yellowish to silvery with a blue spot on each scale. Males have blue lines on the head and blue-margined median fins.

Size range

It grows to 26 cm in length.

Distribution

It is endemic to Australia, occurring from southern Victoria to south-western Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Barber Perch specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species is found on rocky reefs in temperate marine waters.

Classification

Species:

rasor

Genus:

Caesioperca

Family:

Serranidae

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.

Last Updated: 15 September 2012

Tags Barber Perch, Caesioperca rasor, Barber Sea Perch, Red Perch, Tasmanian Barber, rocky reef, temperate water, marine, endemic to Australia, pink, black head, dots/spots, 10 cm - 30 cm,