Yellowbanded Wirrah, Acanthistius cinctus (Günther, 1859)

Scientific name: Acanthistius cinctus
Alternative name/s:
Girdled Rock Cod, Yellowbanded Perch
Acanthistius cinctus Click to enlarge image
A Yellowbanded Wirrah at a depth of 3m, Comets Hole, Lord Howe Island lagoon, New South Wales, December 2005. Image: J. Pogonoski
© J. Pogonoski

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Acanthistius
    Species
    cinctus
    Family
    Serranidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 55 cm in length.

Introduction

Adult Yellowbanded Wirrah can be recognised by its distinctive banded pattern and lines radiating from the eyes.

Identification

Adult Yellowbanded Wirrahs are yellow with a pale belly. There are broad dark bands on the side of the body and a dark diagonal line from the snout, through the eye and continuing across the operculum to intersect with the first dark band on the body. A second dark line passes from the eye diagonally down to the preopercular margin. It resembles the Blackbanded Seaperch. The video above shows a small juvenile.

Habitat

It occurs on rocky reefs in temperate inshore waters.

Distribution

It occurs in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is known from northern New South Wales and from Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands.

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

  1. Allen, G.R., D.F. Hoese, J.R. Paxton, J.E. Randall, B.C. Russell, W.A. Starck, F.H. Talbot & G.P. Whitley. l976. An annotated checklist of the fishes of Lord Howe Island. Records of the Australian Museum, 30(15): 365-454.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.