Animal Species:Banded Weedfish, Heteroclinus whiteleggii (Ogilby, 1894)

The Banded Weedfish is a cryptic species that lives in rockpools, intertidal areas and shallow weed-covered rocky reefs.  It's background colouration varies from pink to brown or green.

Banded Weedfish, Heteroclinus whiteleggii

Banded Weedfish, Heteroclinus whiteleggii
Sascha Schulz © Sascha Schulz

Alternative Name/s

Whitelegg's Weedfish, Long-nosed Weed-fish

Identification

The species has a short-based first dorsal fin connected by membrane to a long-based second dorsal fin. The finger-like pelvic fin rays are positioned below the gill openings.

The background colouration of this fish is highly variable, ranging from pink to brown or green. There is usually a series of white dashes along the lower sides of the body.

Size range

The Banded Weedfish grows to 10 cm in length.

Distribution

It is endemic to Australia, occurring in New South Wales from Byron Bay to Jervis Bay.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Banded Weedfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It occurs in rockpools, intertidal areas and shallow weed-covered rocky reefs.

Classification

Species:
whiteleggii
Genus:
Heteroclinus
Family:
Clinidae
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. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Banded Weedfish, Heteroclinus whiteleggii, Whitelegg's Weedfish,