Animal Species:Longsnout Boarfish, Pentaceropsis recurvirostris (Richardson, 1845)

The Longsnout Boarfish is endemic to Australia. The species can be easily recognised by its distinctive colour pattern and body shape.

Longsnout Boarfish at Bicheno

Longsnout Boarfish at Bicheno
John Fergusson © John Fergusson

Alternative Name/s

Boarfish, Duckfish, Long Nose Boarfish, Long-snout Boarfish, Striped Boarfish

Identification

The Longsnout Boarfish can be easily recognised by its distinctive colour pattern and body shape. It has a long, almost tubular snout and a long-based dorsal fin with widely spaced spines. These spines are reported to be venomous. The posterior edges of the soft dorsal and anal fins are concave. The upper rays of the pectoral fins are longer than those below. The adult Longsnout Boarfish is usually silvery-white with a series of broad dark bands on each side. The first band runs through the eye, onto the snout and lower jaw.

Size range

The species grows to 50 cm in length.

Distribution

The Longsnout Boarfish is endemic to Australia. It occurs from Botany Bay, New South Wales, around the south of the country, including Tasmania, to Rottnest Island, Western Australia.

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.

Pentaceropsis recurvirostris

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Longsnout Boarfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species occurs in very shallow rocky reefs down to depths of around 260 m.

Classification

Species:
recurvirostris
Genus:
Pentaceropsis
Family:
Pentacerotidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  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. Hardy, G.S. in Gomon, M.F., C.J.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Longsnout Boarfish, Pentaceropsis recurvirostris, Pentacerotidae, black, white, 'normal fish', 30 cm - 1 m, stripes or bands, countershaded, rocky reef, marine, adult, long snout, spines,