Animal Species:Fortescue, Centropogon australis (White, 1790)

The Fortescue has a brown to white body with dark brown to black bars. It has two large spines on either side of the head that can be projected sideways when the fish is disturbed. The first dorsal fin has 16 strong spines that are capable of inflicting a very painful sting.

A Fortescue at Shiprock, Port Hacking

A Fortescue at Shiprock, Port Hacking
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Identification

The Fortescue has a brown to white body with dark brown to black bars. It has two large spines on either side of the head that can be projected sideways when the fish is disturbed.

Size range

The species grows to 14 cm in length.

Similar Species

The Fortescue looks similar to the Soldier. Click on the link to the Soldier fact sheet on the right to find out how to tell them apart.

Distribution

The Fortescue is endemic to Australia. It occurs in temperate marine waters from southern Queensland to eastern Victoria.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Fortescue specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It lives in estuaries and bays to a depth of 30 m.

Other behaviours and adaptations

Divers often see Fortescues, sometimes in large numbers, resting motionless on the bottom.

Economic/social impacts

The first dorsal fin has 16 strong spines that are capable of inflicting a very painful sting.

Classification

Species:
australis
Genus:
Centropogon
Family:
Scorpaenidae
Order:
Scorpaeniformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  • Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
  • Poss, S.G. 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.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Fortescue, Centropogon australis, Scorpaenidae,