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ANIMAL SPECIES:Red Morwong, Cheilodactylus fuscus (Castelnau, 1879)

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The Red Morwong is common in coastal New South Wales waters, where it is seen regularly by divers.

Identification

The Red Morwong can be recognised by its colouration and extended lower pectoral fin rays. Adults are orange-brown to dark brown above and pale below. Small juveniles are silvery with dark bands crossing the upper sides and dorsal fin.

Adults have large fleshy lips and a forked caudal fin. There are horn-like bumps in front of the eyes.

The Red Morwong occasionally has a banded pattern and looks similar to the Banded Morwong. The lack of bumps on the front of the head in the Banded Morwong can be used to separate the two species.

Size range

It grows to 65 cm in length.

Distribution

The Red Morwong occurs in warm temperate waters of Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is known from southern Queensland to eastern Victoria. It is common in New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Red Morwong specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Adults are usually seen in aggregations on rocky reefs to about 30 m in depth. Juveniles live on algae covered reefs.

Classification

Species:
fuscus
Genus:
Cheilodactylus
Family:
Cheilodactylidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. in Gomon, M.F., J.C.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 7 July 2009

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A Red Morwong at Fly Point

A Red Morwong at Fly Point View full size
David and Leanne Atkinson © David and Leanne Atkinson

A juvenile Red Morwong at Camp Cove

A juvenile Red Morwong at Camp Cove View full size
Rudie Kuiter © Rudie Kuiter

X-ray image of a Red Morwong

X-ray image of a Red Morwong View full size
James King © Australian Museum

Deformed Red Morwong

Deformed Red Morwong View full size
Sascha Schulz © Sascha Schulz

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