Thetis Fish, Neosebastes thetidis (Waite, 1899)

Scientific name: Neosebastes thetidis
Alternative name/s:
Coral Perch, Ocean Perch, Rough Gurnard Perch
Thetis Fish, <i>Neosebastes thetidis </i> Click to enlarge image
A 191mm SL Thetis Fish caught at a depth of 120m, off Bermagui, New South Wales. (CSIRO H.4253-01). Image: CSIRO Marine Research
© CSIRO Marine Research

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Neosebastes
    Species
    thetidis
    Family
    Neosebastidae
    Order
    Scorpaeniformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 32 cm.

Introduction

The Thetis Fish is yellowish, usually with five large poorly-defined blackish blotches. Pigmentation pattern on the caudal fin changes with growth. The species is endemic to southern New South Wales to southern Western Australia, including Tasmania.

Identification

The Thetis Fish has a relatively short snout and deep body. The body is yellowish, usually with five large poorly-defined blackish blotches. Pigmentation pattern on the caudal fin changes with growth. The caudal fins of young individuals have two narrow vertical black bands distally. Older fish have a single broad vertical band on the fin. The suborbital scales of this species extend onto the lower margin of the eye membrane. This character is not found in any other species of Neosebastes.

The species was described by Australian Museum Fish Curator, Edgar Ravenswood Waite in 1899.

Habitat

The Thetis Fish is usually found at depths of 80 m - 280 m.

Distribution

The Thetis Fish is relatively common. It has the largest distributional range of any Neosebastes species. The species is endemic to southern New South Wales to southern Western Australia, including Tasmania.

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. 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. 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.