(Image credit: Erik Schlögl)

The body is pinkish white with a large oval shaped black spot followed by an often-elongated white spot. In some individuals the spots may be of the same size and shape. In others the spots differ substantially. Barbels are a lighter shade of the body colour. A black marking is at the base of the second dorsal fin. In some individuals this extends onto the upper portion of the tail. In some fish the scales may have white edging, producing a mottled look, especially around the head.

Length: Up to 35 cm

Habitat

Seagrass meadows in shallow lagoons and rocky areas over sandy substrates; 1-75 m depth

Log it

In New South Wales, log if spotted in Port Stephens and south

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Redmap species descriptions were based, with permission, on the following resources:

Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast, Edited by M. Gomon. D. Bray and R. Kuiter (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

Find further information and images at FISHES OF AUSTRALIA http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/