Animal Species:Southern Peacock Sole, Pardachirus hedleyi Ogilby, 1916

Alternative Name/s

Peacock Sole, Rauther's Sole

Identification

The Southern Peacock Sole can be recognised by its colouration. The dorsal surface has dark-edged white blotches and scattered darker blotches. It has a highly compressed body that is covered with small ctenoid scales. There are toxin glands, visible as pores along the dorsal and anal fin bases. The eyes are positioned close together on the right side of the body. The lower eye is positioned immediately behind the mouth. The nostrils of the ocular side are positioned at the end of a long tube. There is a fringe of filaments on the snout.

The Southern Peacock Sole was described by past Australian Museum Fish Curator James Ogilby.

Size range

The Southern Peacock Sole grows to 15 cm in length.

Distribution

This fish is endemic to Australia. It occurs in shallow sandy areas in coastal waters from southern Queensland to southern New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Southern Peacock Sole specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Other behaviours and adaptations

The species can change its colour quickly to match the surrounding seabed.

Classification

Species:

hedleyi

Genus:

Pardachirus

Family:

Soleidae

Order:

Pleuronectiformes

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. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 5 January 2012

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Southern Peacock Sole, Pardachirus hedleyi, Soleidae,