Animal Species:Black Reef Leatherjacket, Eubalichthys bucephalus (Whitley, 1931)

Identification

The Black Reef Leatherjacket can be recognised by its brown to black body colour and white ring around the eyes. Juveniles are brown or green with spots which fade with growth. This species has a strong, barbed dorsal fin spine above the eyes.

Size range

The Black Reef Leatherjacket grows to 40 cm in length.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia, occurring in temperate marine waters from northern New South Wales to south-western Western Australia. It is not known from Tasmania.

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

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Black Reef Leatherjacket specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It lives on coastal and offshore reefs in depths of 10 m to at least 250 m.

Other behaviours and adaptations

It is often seen in pairs.

Classification

Species:

bucephalus

Genus:

Eubalichthys

Family:

Monacanthidae

Order:

Tetraodontiformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Hutchins, J.B. 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. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 20 March 2013

Tags fish, ichthyology, Black Reef Leatherjacket, Eubalichthys bucephalus, reefs,