ANIMAL SPECIES:Reef Ocean Perch, Helicolenus percoides (Richardson, 1842)
The Reef Ocean Perch can be recognised by its notched dorsal fin, large pectoral fins and its colouration. The species occurs in depths between 80 m and 350 m, in temperate marine waters of Australia and New Zealand.
Identification
The Reef Ocean Perch can be recognised by its notched dorsal fin, large pectoral fins and its colouration. The body is usually orangish to white with two branched bands laterally and small dark spots on the head.
All species in the genus Helicolenus have a low spineless ridge (the suborbital stay) running horizontally below the eye.
Size range
The Reef Ocean Perch grows to 30 cm in length.Similar Species
The Reef Ocean Perch looks similar to the deeper-dwelling Bigeye Ocean Perch, Helicolenus barathri. .Distribution
The species is occurs in Australia and New Zealand,
In Australia it is known from central coast of New South Wales to southern Western Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Reef Ocean Perch specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The species is found in depths between 80 m and 350 m.
Living with us
Economic/social impacts
It is an important commercial species in southern marine waters of Australia.
Classification
- Species:
- percoides
- Genus:
- Helicolenus
- Family:
- Sebastidae
- Order:
- Scorpaeniformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Poss, S.G. in Gomon, M.F, C.J.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & R.D. Ward. 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook, an identification guide to domestic species. CSIRO Marine Research. Pp. 461.
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A Reef Ocean Perch caught off Botany Bay View full size
Steve Wozniak
© Steve Wozniak
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