ANIMAL SPECIES:Toothbrush Leatherjacket, Acanthaluteres vittiger (Castelnau, 1873)
Male Toothbrush Leatherjackets can be recognised by the patch of bristles on the sides of the body. Females and juveniles lack these bristles. The colouration of this species is highly variable. Males are yellow to grey often with a black head and a broad white area from the eye to the bristles. Female and juvenile Toothbrush Leatherjackets are brown to green with spots and blotches.
Identification
Male Toothbrush Leatherjackets can be recognised by the patch of bristles on the sides of the body. Females and juveniles lack these bristles.
The colouration of this species is highly variable. Males are yellow to grey often with a black head and a broad white area from the eye to the bristles.
Female and juvenile Toothbrush Leatherjackets are brown to green with spots and blotches.
Size range
The species grows to 32 cm in length.Distribution
It occurs in temperate marine waters of Australia from the central coast of New South Wales around the south of the country to south-western Western Australia.
Habitat
The Toothbrush Leatherjacket lives in a range of habitats from shallow seagrass beds to rocky reefs at depths around 40 m.
Classification
- Species:
- vittiger
- Genus:
- Acanthaluteres
- Family:
- Monacanthidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Hutchins, J.B. 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. 1996.
- Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
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A female Toothbrush Leatherjacket at Fly Point View full size
Dave Harasti
© Dave Harasti
A female Toothbrush Leatherjacket View full size
Dave Harasti
© Dave Harasti
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