Black-spotted Wrasse, Austrolabrus maculatus (Macleay, 1881)

Introduction

The Black-spotted Wrasse is endemic to Australia. It is usually seen on rocky coastal reefs and sometimes in sponge gardens.

Identification

The Black-spotted Wrasse is pink to red-brown dorsally with numerous small dark spots, and pale to yellowish ventrally.

Juveniles and females have a white bar and white-edged black spot on the caudal peduncle. These markings are not present in adult males.

The genus Austrolabrus is monotypic (it only contains one species).

Habitat

It is usually seen on rocky coastal reefs and sometimes in sponge gardens.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia. It is known from two separate populations; an eastern population ranging from northern to southern New South Wales and a western population from the eastern coast of South Australia to the central coast of 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

1. Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
2. Gomon, M.F. & B.C. Russell. 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.
3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.