ANIMAL SPECIES:Sergeant Baker, Hime purpurissatus Richardson, 1843
The Sergeant Baker is probably named after Governor Phillip's orderly sergeant, William Baker. The species is commonly seen by divers in on the New South Wales coast.
Identification
The Sergeant Baker can be recognised by its long tapering body, blotched colouration and its behaviour. The species is commonly observed by divers as it perches on the substrate with its head raised.
Adult males and females are easy to tell apart. Several of the anterior rays of the first dorsal fin are greatly elongated in males, nearly reaching the adipose fin. The elongated dorsal fin rays can be seen in the middle image.
The Sergeant Baker is probably named after Governor Phillip's orderly sergeant, William Baker. Sergeant Baker came to Australia as a Corporal of Marines on the transport ship Charlotte. He was reported to have been a keen fisherman, and possibly the first white settler to have caught this species.
Size range
It grows to about 68 cm in length.Distribution
This species is endemic to Australia. It is recorded from temperate waters from the central Western Australian coast to southern Queensland.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Sergeant Baker specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
Dietary items include molluscs, fishes and crustaceans.
Life cycle
View the Sergeant Baker larval description.
Living with us
Economic/social impacts
It is reported to be a poor to fair table fish.
Classification
- Species:
- purpurissatus
- Genus:
- Hime
- Family:
- Aulopidae
- Order:
- Aulopiformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
- Glover, C.J.M. 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. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
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A Sergeant Baker at Fairy Bower, Manly View full size
Richard Ling
© Richard Ling
A male Sergeant Baker View full size
Sascha Schulz
© Sascha Schulz
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2 comments
Mark McGrouther
9.07 AM, 20 July 2009
Thank you Erik. That's a lovely shot of a female. I'll try to track down an image of a male.
eschlogl
4.07 PM, 18 July 2009
Here's an image of a Sergeant Baker off Old Man's Hat, North Head, Sydney Harbour, Australia. Depth: 19m Date: 11-Jan-09
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