Pacific Monkeyfish, Erosa erosa (Langsdorf, 1829)

Introduction

The Pacific Monkeyfish is a stocky fish with a large head and a distinct bump on the nape. It occurs in tropical inshore and coral reef waters of the Western Pacific.

Identification

The Pacific Monkeyfish is a stocky fish with a large head and a distinct bump on the nape. It has white spots distally on the pectoral fins and narrow dark bars on the tail.

Habitat

The Pacific Monkeyfish is a benthic species that occurs in tropical inshore and coral reef waters of the Western Pacific.

Distribution

In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south on the east coast to northern New South Wales.

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

References

1. 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.
2. Poss, S.G. Scorpaenidae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem. 1999. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). FAO. Rome Pp. iii-v, 2069-2790.
3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.