Johnson's Gurnard Perch, Neosebastes johnsoni Motomura, 2004

Scientific name: Neosebastes johnsoni
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    26/03/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Johnson's Gurnard Perch, Neosebastes johnsoni Click to enlarge image
The 127 mm SL holotype of Neosebastes johnsoni (CSIRO H.3645-11), caught at a depth between 229m and 266m, east of Rockingham Bay, Queensland, November 1993. Image: CSIRO Marine Research
© CSIRO Marine Research

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Neosebastes
    Species
    johnsoni
    Family
    Neosebastidae
    Order
    Scorpaeniformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 22 cm.

Introduction

Johnson's Gurnard Perch was named in honour of Jeff Johnson the Fish Collection Manager at the Queensland Museum. Johnson's Gurnard Perch has a relatively short snout and long dorsal fin spines.

Identification

Johnson's Gurnard Perch has a relatively short snout and long dorsal fin spines. The body is orange to reddish. There are distinct small black spots scattered on the sides of the body and on the dorsal and caudal fins. Johnson's Gurnard Perch is the only species of Neosebastes with these spots.

Habitat

The species is found on sandy substrates in offshore waters, at depths of 70m - 270m.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Queensland

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

Economic impacts

The species is relatively abundant. It is trawled from sandy substrates in offshore waters.

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.