Animal Species:Butterfly Perch, Caesioperca lepidoptera (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

The Butterfly Perch is a schooling species that occurs in temperate marine waters of Australia and New Zealand. They are commonly found on coastal reefs and deep reefs at around 100 m depths.

Alternative Name/s

Red Perch

Identification

The Butterfly Perch is usually pinkish with a dark blotch on the body. The pectoral fins are approximately the same length as the head. Adults develop spots, pale blue fin margins and a blue band behind the eye.

Size range

The Butterfly Perch grows to 47 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs in temperate marine waters of Australia and New Zealand.

In Australia it is known from New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. It is rare in 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.

Caesioperca lepidoptera

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Butterfly Perch specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

In Australia it is common on coastal reefs of Victoria and Tasmania. In New South Wales and South Australia it usually occurs on deeper reefs down to about 100 m.

Other behaviours and adaptations

The Butterfly Perch is a schooling species.

Classification

Species:
lepidoptera
Genus:
Caesioperca
Family:
Serranidae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 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.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.


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Tags fishes, ichthyology, Butterfly Perch, Caesioperca lepidoptera, Serranidae, schooling species, temperate water, marine, coastal reef, Red Perch, pink, blotches/mottled, dots/spots, 30 cm - 1 m,