Animal Species:Footballer Sweep, Neatypus obliquus Waite, 1905

The Footballer Sweep is endemic to Australia.  It can be recognised by its distinctive colouration.

Footballer Sweep at Pearson Island

Footballer Sweep at Pearson Island
David Muirhead © David Muirhead

Alternative Name/s

Western Footballer

Identification

The Footballer Sweep can be recognised by its body shape and colouration. It has a deep compressed body that is white with six brown-edged yellow bands.

Size range

The species grows to 24 cm in length.

Distribution

This species is endemic to Australia, occurring in coastal waters of southern Australia from central South Australia to the central coast of 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.

Neatypus obliquus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Footballer Sweep specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is found on rocky reefs.

Classification

Species:
obliquus
Genus:
Neatypus
Family:
Kyphosidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 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.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Footballer Sweep, Neatypus obliquus, Kyphosidae, yellow, white, black, brown, 'normal fish', 10 cm - 30 cm, stripes or bands, coastal waters, marine, adult, big eyes,