Fanbelly Leatherjacket, Monacanthus chinensis (Isbeck, 1765)

Scientific name: Monacanthus chinensis
Alternative name/s:
Fan-bellied Leatherjacket, Fantail Leatherjacket
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    12/03/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Fanbelly Leatherjacket Click to enlarge image
A Fanbelly Leatherjacket at a depth of 6 m, under Swansea bridge, New South Wales, January 2011. Image: Matt Dowse
© Matt Dowse

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Monacanthus
    Species
    chinensis
    Family
    Monacanthidae
    Order
    Tetraodontidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 40 cm in length.

Introduction

The Fantail Leatherjacket is generally has light to medium brown tones but is able to alter to a darker to blend in with certain environments.

Identification

The Fantail Leatherjacket can be recognised by the large skin flap on the belly, the concave snout profile, the caudal filament, and by the triangular profile of the back.

It is cream to brown with brown blotches and mottling on the body, and brown bands on the caudal fin. When swimming above mussel beds, or crinoids, it can assume a dark colouration.

Fanbelly Leatherjacket
juvenile Fanbelly Leatherjacket
Monacanthus chinensis I.46129.001

Habitat

It occurs in depths from 5 m to 50 m. It is commonly seen by divers in rocky and weedy areas, but is also caught in deeper waters by trawlers.

Distribution

The Fantail Leatherjacket occurs throughout the Western Pacific.

In Australia it is known from tropical and temperate waters from south-western Western Australia, around the north of the country and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.

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

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
  4. Hutchins, J.B. 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.
  5. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  6. Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
  7. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  8. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.