ANIMAL SPECIES:Black-spotted Wrasse, Austrolabrus maculatus (Macleay, 1881)
The Black-spotted Wrasse is endemic to Australia. It is usually seen on rocky coastal reefs and sometimes in sponge gardens.
Identification
The Black-spotted Wrasse is pink to red-brown dorsally with numerous small dark spots, and pale to yellowish ventrally.
Juveniles and females have a white bar and white-edged black spot on the caudal peduncle. These markings are not present in adult males.
The genus Austrolabrus is monotypic (it only contains one species).
Size range
The Black-spotted Wrasse grows to 20 cm in length.Distribution
The species is endemic to Australia. It is known from two separate populations; an eastern population ranging from northern to southern New South Wales and a western population from the eastern coast of South Australia to the central coast of Western Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Black-spotted Wrasse specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
It is usually seen on rocky coastal reefs and sometimes in sponge gardens.
Classification
- Species:
- maculatus
- Genus:
- Austrolabrus
- Family:
- Labridae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
- Gomon, M.F. & B.C. Russell. 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.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
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A Black-spotted Wrasse at Fly Point, Port Stephens. View full size
Dave Harasti
© Dave Harasti
A Black-spotted Wrasse at Port Stephens View full size
David & Leanne Atkinson
© David & Leanne Atkinson
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