Blackspotted Gurnard Perch, Neosebastes nigropunctatus Click to enlarge image
A 236mm SL Blackspotted Gurnard Perch from Ocean Reef, Western Australia (WAM P.27359-001). Image: Barry Hutchins
© Barry Hutchins

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Neosebastes
    Species
    nigropunctatus
    Family
    Neosebastidae
    Order
    Scorpaeniformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    35 cm

Introduction

The Blackspotted Gurnard Perch is a common species that only occurs in Australian waters.

Identification

The Blackspotted Gurnard Perch has a whitish or brown (rarely reddish) body with indistinct dark spots scattered on the posterior part of the head and the sides of the body. There are no black spots on the fin membranes.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia, occurring from South Australia to south-western Western Australia in depths from 60 m - 550 m.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.


Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. 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.