Animal Species:Southern Peacock Sole, Pardachirus hedleyi Ogilby, 1916

The Southern Peacock Sole can change its colour quickly to match the surrounding seabed. The species is endemic to Australia.

Southern Peacock Sole, Pardachirus hedleyi

Southern Peacock Sole, Pardachirus hedleyi
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Peacock Sole, Rauther's Sole

Identification

The Southern Peacock Sole can be recognised by its colouration. The dorsal surface has dark-edged white blotches and scattered darker blotches. It has a highly compressed body that is covered with small ctenoid scales. There are toxin glands, visible as pores along the dorsal and anal fin bases. The eyes are positioned close together on the right side of the body. The lower eye is positioned immediately behind the mouth. The nostrils of the ocular side are positioned at the end of a long tube. There is a fringe of filaments on the snout.

The Southern Peacock Sole was described by past Australian Museum Fish Curator James Ogilby.

Size range

The Southern Peacock Sole grows to 15 cm in length.

Distribution

This fish is endemic to Australia. It occurs in shallow sandy areas in coastal waters from southern Queensland to southern 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.

Pardachirus hedleyi

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Southern Peacock specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Other behaviours and adaptations

The species can change its colour quickly to match the surrounding seabed.

Classification

Species:
hedleyi
Genus:
Pardachirus
Family:
Soleidae
Order:
Pleuronectiformes
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. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Southern Peacock Sole, Pardachirus hedleyi, Soleidae, brown, black, red, white, flatfish, 10 cm - 30 cm, dots/spots, soft substrate, marine, adult,