Animal Species:Silver Spot, Threpterius maculosus Richardson, 1850

The Silver Spota has a silver spot on the tip of the operculum. The species occurs in Australia and New Zealand.

A Silver Spot at Topgallant Island

A Silver Spot at Topgallant Island
David Muirhead © David Muirhead

Identification

The Silver Spot is a moderately elongate species with a long based dorsal fin. The head margin is concave above the eyes. Colouration is variable from grey to red-brown, usually with dark blotches along the back and smaller blotches below. There is a silver spot on the tip of the operculum.

Size range

The species grows to about 40 cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is found in temperate waters from the New South Wales south coast to south-western 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.

Threpterius+maculosus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Silver Spot specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species can be found on shallow rocky reefs.

Classification

Species:
maculosus
Genus:
Threpterius
Family:
Chironemidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. 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.
  2. Hutchins Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. 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.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Silver Spot, Threpterius maculosus, Chironemidae, grey, red, brown, silver, odd-shaped, 30 cm - 1 m, blotches/mottled, rocky reef, marine, adult,