Mozambique Seabream, Wattsia mossambica (Smith, 1957)
Mozambique Large-eye Bream
Click to enlarge image
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Wattsia
- Species
- mossambica
- Family
- Lethrinidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- It grows to about 55 cm in length but is common to 35 cm.
Introduction
The Mozambique Seabream is a deep-bodied species that has a forked caudal fin with broad rounded lobes.
Identification
The dorsal fin has 10 long, strong spines and 10 rays. The anal fin has 3 strong spines and 10 rays. A longitudinal denticulate ridge is present on the maxilla. The body is grey to silvery infused with yellow. Difuse blotches or barring may be present on the body. The scale margins are dark. The fins are yellow, sometimes with pale brown spots, and a distinct dark bar crosses the base of the pectoral fin.
Distribution
The species occurs in the tropical Indian Ocean and western Pacific regions.
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
- Carpenter, K.E. & G.R. Allen, 1989. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 9. Emperor fishes and large-eye breams of the world (family Lethrinidae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of lethrinid species known to date. FAO Species Synopsis. No. 125(9): Pp. 118.
- 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.
