White-ear are common to northern New South Wales and are also present in Victoria and northern Tasmania, usually in the Bass Strait. Juveniles are common further south.

Most distinguishing mark is a silvery-white blotch where an ear may be on a fish if fish had ears, it is actually on its gill cover or opercle. Otherwise the fish is brownish black, although the juveniles of the species are colourful. Larger adults may have blue dots on tail.

Family: POMACENTRIDAE, known as damselfishes
Family members also on the Redmap list: Onespot pullers
Habitat: Reef
Size: Small fish up to 20cm although usually 14cm
Image: G. Edgar
Log it: Log the white-ear if you spot south of St Helens.

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.

• Australian Marine Life: The Plants and Animals of Temperate Waters by G. J. Edgar, Revised (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne
   
• Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast, Edited by M. Gomon. D. Bray and R. Kuiter (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne
   
• Fishes of Tasmania by P. Last, E. Scott and F. Talbot (1983). Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority, Hobart