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

The southern roughy has a rounded body and reddish brown colour. It has white lines and dark markings along the edges of its fins and operculum (gill covering). For a cute little red fish that looks harmless it has a little secret. This species, often found about caves, can release a toxic white substance through its skin.

Length: Up to 18 cm

Habitat

Moderately exposed reef; 1-30 m depth

Log it

If spotted in Tasmanian waters only

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 books:

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

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