Longsnout Gurnard Perch, Neosebastes longirostris Motomura, 2004
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© CSIRO Marine Research
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Neosebastes
- Species
- longirostris
- Family
- Neosebastidae
- Order
- Scorpaeniformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The species grows to 22 cm.
Introduction
The Long-snout Gurnard Perch is a rare species. It is endemic to northern Western Australia.
Identification
The Long-snout Gurnard Perch has a relatively elongate body and snout. The body is grayish, mottled with poorly defined reddish blotches. The pectoral fin and spinous portion of the dorsal fin are blackish.
This species can be distinguished from other members of Neosebastes by having the following combination of characters: 57-63 scales in longitudinal series; underside of mandible with numerous tiny pores; tip of lower opercular spine extending beyond opercular margin; preocular spine simple (not branched) on each side of head; supraocular spines present only posterior to vertical through midline of eye; interorbital space entirely covered with scales. The interorbital space of this species becomes shallower with growth. This change is unique among the species of Neosebastes.
The Long-snout Gurnard Perch is a rare species. It is known from only 13 specimens.
Habitat
The species is usually found at depths from 170 m to 250 m.
Distribution
The species is endemic to northern 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
- 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.
