Silver Drummer, Kyphosus sydneyanus (Gunther, 1886)
Buff Bream, Buffalo Bream, Buffs, Common Buffalo Bream, Drummer Bream, Southern Silver Drummer, Sydney Drummer
The Silver Drummer looks similar to fishes in the genus Girella. Two features can be used to separate these fishes. One is the number of dorsal fin spines - Kyphosus has 11 and Girella 13-16. The other is whether the posterior region of the maxilla is exposed or covered. In Kyphosus it is exposed but in Girella it is covered by the preorbital bone when the mouth is closed.
Introduction
The Silver Drummer has grey body, a dark spot below the pectoral fin base and a large caudal fin which is dark posteriorly. It occurs in temperate marine waters from southern Queensland, around the south of the country to the southern coast of Western Australia.
Identification
The Silver Drummer has grey body, a dark spot below the pectoral fin base and a large caudal fin which is dark posteriorly.
Habitat
It occurs on coastal rocky reefs, in harbours and bays.
Distribution
It occurs in temperate marine waters from southern Queensland, around the south of the country to the southern coast of 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.
References
- 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.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.