Silver Sweep, Scorpis lineolata, Kner, 1865

Scientific name: Scorpis lineolata
Alternative name/s:
False Pompano, Sweep, Trumps, Windawindawi
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther, Sascha Schulz
  • Updated
    25/08/22
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Scorpis lineolata Click to enlarge image
A Silver Sweep at a depth of 20 m, Bowen Island, Jervis Bay, New South Wales, March 2001. Image: E. Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Scorpis
    Species
    lineolata
    Family
    Kyphosidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 37 cm in length.

Introduction

Silver Sweep are a well-known species to any angler. Commonly seen by divers on shallow rocky areas, this species also plagues fishers attempting to catch snapper and morwong on deeper reefs.

Identification

The Silver Sweep is a relatively deep-bodied fish with a small oblique mouth. It has long-based dorsal and anal fins that lack prominent lobes.

The species is greyish, blue-grey or green-grey above and silver-grey below. The margin of the operculum and pectoral fin bases are blackish.

Habitat

The Silver Sweep occurs at depths from 1 m to 30 m on rocky reefs

Distribution

It occurs in temperate marine waters of Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is known from southern Queensland, to the central coast of Victoria and around Tasmania. It has very uncommonly been recorded from as far west as South 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. Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
  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. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  4. Last, P.R., Scott, E.O.G. & F.H. Talbot. 1983. Fishes of Tasmania. Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority. Pp. 563.