Silver Spot, Threpterius maculosus Richardson, 1850

Scientific name: Threpterius maculosus
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    13/08/19
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Silver Spot Click to enlarge image
A Silver Spot at a depth of 14m, Topgallant Island, South Australia, May 2006. Image: David Muirhead
© David Muirhead

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Threpterius
    Species
    maculosus
    Family
    Chironemidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 40 cm in length.

Introduction

The Silver Spota has a silver spot on the tip of the operculum. The species occurs in Australia and New Zealand.

Identification

The Silver Spot is a moderately elongate species with a long based dorsal fin. The head margin is concave above the eyes. Colouration is variable from grey to red-brown, usually with dark blotches along the back and smaller blotches below. There is a silver spot on the tip of the operculum.

Head of a Silver Spot
Head of a Silver Spot at 'Solar Tubes', Sceale Bay, South Australia, February 2009. Image: David Muirhead
© David Muirhead

Habitat

The species can be found on shallow rocky reefs.

Distribution

The species occurs in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is found in temperate waters from the New South Wales south coast to south-western Western Australia.

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. 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. Hutchins 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. 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.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.