Animal Species:Giant Boarfish, Paristiopterus labiosus (Günther, 1872)

In Australia the Giant Boarfish occurs from northern New South Wales south to Tasmania. The species mostly lives in deep water down to 200 m.

Alternative Name/s

Duckfish, Giant Penfish, Long-snouted Boarfish, Sowfish

Identification

The Giant Boarfish has an elongated snout and a long-based dorsal fin. Juveniles and female Giant Boarfish are distinctly banded, but adult males have yellow spots.

Size range

The species grows to 1m in length.

Distribution

In Australia the Giant Boarfish occurs from northern New South Wales south to Tasmania.

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.

Paristiopterus labiosus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Giant Boarfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species mostly lives in deep water down to 200 m. Sometimes it is observed in shallower water swimming over sandy or muddy bottoms.

Other behaviours and adaptations

Juveniles typically swim in small schools.

Mating and reproduction

Adults are usually seen in pairs.

Classification

Species:
labiosus
Genus:
Paristiopterus
Family:
Pentacerotidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hardy, G.S. 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.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Giant Boarfish, Paristiopterus labiosus, Pentacerotidae, 30 cm - 1 m, stripes or bands, soft substrate, marine, adult,