Reef Ocean Perch, Helicolenus percoides (Richardson, 1842)

Scientific name: Helicolenus percoides
Similar species:
The Reef Ocean Perch looks similar to the deeper-dwelling Bigeye Ocean Perch, Helicolenus barathri. .
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    20/04/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Reef Ocean Perch, <i>Helicolenus percoides</i> Click to enlarge image
A Reef Ocean Perch, Helicolenus percoides, at a depth of 105m, about 10km off Botany Bay, New South Wales, 23 August 2003. Image: Steve Wozniak
© Steve Wozniak

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Helicolenus
    Species
    percoides
    Family
    Sebastidae
    Order
    Scorpaeniformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Reef Ocean Perch grows to 30 cm in length.

Introduction

The Reef Ocean Perch can be recognised by its notched dorsal fin, large pectoral fins and its colouration. The species occurs in depths between 80 m and 350 m, in temperate marine waters of Australia and New Zealand.

Identification

The Reef Ocean Perch can be recognised by its notched dorsal fin, large pectoral fins and its colouration. The body is usually orangish to white with two branched bands laterally and small dark spots on the head.

All species in the genus Helicolenus have a low spineless ridge (the suborbital stay) running horizontally below the eye.

Habitat

The species is found in depths between 80 m and 350 m.

Distribution

The species is occurs in Australia and New Zealand,

In Australia it is known from central coast of New South Wales to southern Western Australia.

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

It is an important commercial species in southern marine waters of Australia.

References

  1. Poss, S.G. in Gomon, M.F, C.J.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & R.D. Ward. 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook, an identification guide to domestic species. CSIRO Marine Research. Pp. 461.