Orangebanded Gurnard Perch, Neosebastes occidentalis Motomura, 2004

Scientific name: Neosebastes occidentalis
Orangebanded Gurnard Perch, <i>Neosebastes occidentalis</i> Click to enlarge image
The 122 mm SL paratype of Neosebastes occidentalis (CSIRO CA.388), caught at a depth between 175m and 185m, north of North West Cape, Western Australia, May 1978. Image: CSIRO Marine Research
© CSIRO Marine Research

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Neosebastes
    Species
    occidentalis
    Family
    Neosebastidae
    Order
    Scorpaeniformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 22 cm.

Introduction

The Orangebanded Gurnard Perch is a rare species and occurs in a very limited geographic region, off the central coast of Western Australia. It is known from only 19 specimens.

Identification

The Orangebanded Gurnard Perch has a whitish to yellowish body. The caudal fin has several irregular vertical bands.

The species is very similar to an East Asian endemic species, N. entaxis, in overall appearance. The Orangebanded Gurnard Perch can be distinguished by its upper opercular spine, which is usually divided into 2 points and its extremely deep mid-interorbital space. The species can be distinguished from other members of Neosebastes occurring in Australian waters by the following combination of characters: no black spots on the sides of the body; underside of mandible with numerous tiny pores; and 50 to 56 scale rows in longitudinal series.

Habitat

The species is usually found at depths between 100 m and 200 m

Distribution

The species is endemic to Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Motomura, H. 2004. Revision of the scorpionfish genus Neosebastes (Scorpaeniformes: Neosebastidae), with descriptions of five new species. Indo-Pacific Fishes. 37: 1-76, pl. 1-2.
  2. 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.