Animal Species:Mosaic Leatherjacket, Eubalichthys mosaicus (Ramsay & Ogilby, 1886)

The Mosaic Leatherjacket is a deep-bodied fish with a strong dorsal spine above the eyes, narrow gill openings and minute scales. The juvenile Mosaic Leatherjacket is known to live in the shallow waters of estuaries, while adults are found on deep offshore reefs.

Mosaic Leatherjacket at Second Valley

Mosaic Leatherjacket at Second Valley
David Muirhead © David Muirhead

Alternative Name/s

Deep Bodied Leatherjacket, Deepbodied Leatherjacket, Dinnerplate Leatherjacket.

Identification

Adults are blue to brownish-grey with yellowish-brown stripes and blotches. All the fins are blue-green. Juveniles are yellow to brown and patterned with wavy blue to grey lines and orange-bordered brown blotches.

Size range

The Mosaic Leatherjacket grows to at least 60 cm in length.

Distribution

It has a widespread distribution around the southern half of 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.

Eubalichthys mosaicus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Mosaic Leatherjacket specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:
mosaicus
Genus:
Eubalichthys
Family:
Monacanthidae
Order:
Tetraodontiformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Hutchins, B. & M. Thompson. 1983. The Marine and Estuarine Fishes of South-western Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 103.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  5. Last, P.R., Scott, E.O.G. & F.H. Talbot. 1983. Fishes of Tasmania. Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority. Pp. 563.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Sascha Schulz
Last Updated:

Tags fish, ichthyology, Mosaic Leatherjacket, Eubalichthys mosaicus, Monacanthidae,