Red Morwong, Cheilodactylus fuscus (Castelnau, 1879)

Scientific name: Cheilodactylus fuscus
Red Morwong and a school of Stripeys Click to enlarge image
A Red Morwong and a school of Stripeys at Nelson Bay, May 2010. Image: Dave Harasti
© Dave Harasti

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Cheilodactylus
    Species
    fuscus
    Family
    Cheilodactylidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to 65 cm in length.

Introduction

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.

Habitat

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

The video below shows typical habitat for the species in the Sydney area.

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.

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.

Feeding and diet

Kuiter (2000) states "They (morwongs) feed on worms and small invertebrates which are filtered through the gills from randomly-taken mouthfuls of sand or matter scraped from the rocks".

Other behaviours and adaptations

Red Morwongs are commonly seen resting on the bottom, perched on their long thickened pectoral fin rays.

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.