Silver Spot, Threpterius maculosus Richardson, 1850
Click to enlarge image
© David Muirhead
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Threpterius
- Species
- maculosus
- Family
- Chironemidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The species grows to about 40 cm in length.
Introduction
The Silver Spota has a silver spot on the tip of the operculum. The species occurs in Australia and New Zealand.
Identification
The Silver Spot is a moderately elongate species with a long based dorsal fin. The head margin is concave above the eyes. Colouration is variable from grey to red-brown, usually with dark blotches along the back and smaller blotches below. There is a silver spot on the tip of the operculum.
© David Muirhead
Habitat
The species can be found on shallow rocky reefs.
Distribution
The species occurs in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is found in temperate waters from the New South Wales south coast to south-western Western Australia.
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.
References
- 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.
- Hutchins Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter R.H. 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.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
