(Image credit: Rick Stuart-Smith, Reef Life Survey)

JUVENILES: Light brown to a very dark brown with light or dark blotch marks along body. Tail is completely transparent. Dorsal fin is spiny and extends relatively high when erect. Some individuals have a lightly pink tinged dorsal fin. Dorsal, anal and pelvic fin edges have darker colouration. Inhabit shallow sandy areas and drift with the tide like leaves as a form of camouflage.

ADULTS: Grey to brown in colour with darker fins. Transparency of tail fin has been lost. Lips are very fleshy. Commonly found in groups.

Length: Up to 70 cm

Habitat

Juveniles in shallow sandy areas. Adults in calm coastal reefs; 8-25 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.

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