Toothbrush Leatherjacket, Acanthaluteres vittiger (Castelnau, 1873)

Introduction

Male Toothbrush Leatherjackets can be recognised by the patch of bristles on the sides of the body. Females and juveniles lack these bristles. The species occurs in temperate Australian waters.

Identification

Male Toothbrush Leatherjackets can be recognised by the patch of bristles on the sides of the body. Females and juveniles lack these bristles.

The colouration of this species is highly variable. Males are yellow to grey often with a black head and a broad white area from the eye to the bristles. Female and juvenile Toothbrush Leatherjackets are brown to green with spots and blotches.

Habitat

The Toothbrush Leatherjacket lives in a range of habitats from shallow seagrass beds to rocky reefs at depths around 40 m.

Distribution

It occurs in temperate marine waters of Australia from the central coast of New South Wales around the south of the country 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.

References

1. Hutchins, J.B. 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.
2. 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.
3. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.