Eastern Kelpfish, Chironemus marmoratus (Günther, 1860)

Scientific name: Chironemus marmoratus
Alternative name/s:
Smallscale Kelpfish, Hiwihiwi, Kelpfish, Large Kelpfish, Surgefish
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    11/03/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Chironemus marmoratus Click to enlarge image
Two Kelpfish at a depth of 5 m, Bass Point, Shellharbour, New South Wales, October 2000. Image: E. Schlögl
© E. Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Chironemus
    Species
    marmoratus
    Family
    Chironemidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 40 cm in length.

Introduction

The Eastern Kelpfish has a pointed snout and a small mouth. The species occurs in shallow, often intertidal waters of eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Identification

The Eastern Kelpfish has a pointed snout and a small mouth. It has large pectoral fins with branched rays above and thickened unbranched rays below. The species is grey, brown, green or pinkish with large dark blotches on the body. There are numerous small white spots on the body and fins.

Habitat

The Eastern Kelpfish lives in shallow marine waters between the intertidal zone and about 20 m. It is usually found in areas of high wave action or currents.

Distribution

The species occurs in south-eastern Australia from southern Queensland to northern Tasmania and eastern Victoria. It is also known from New Zealand.

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.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Feeding and diet

Kelpfishes eat invertebrates.

References

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