Issue
Genus based on Eschmeyer's pers. comm.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 100 m (Ref. 9563). Temperate
Eastern Indian Ocean: southern Australia, from Western Australia to New South Wales and Tasmania.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9563)
Dorsal spines (total): 4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal soft rays: 7. Dorsal sides of head and body light brown, ventral side white. Males with many small black blotches on head, body, and fins; females without black blotches. Caudal fin elongate, in males with 4 to 6 medial filaments; in females convex, without filaments. Preopercular spine with a dorsal point additionally to main tip, but without an antrorse spine at its base. First dorsal fin not much higher than second dorsal fin. Caudal fin in males with 5 or 6 median filaments (Ref 42832).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
The name 'stinkfish' refers to the acid smell of the slime covering the body; the slime tastes bitter and may be toxic; only some birds of prey take this species (Ref. 557).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Paulin, C., A. Stewart, C. Roberts and P. McMillan, 1989. New Zealand fish: a complete guide. National Museum of New Zealand Miscellaneous Series No. 19. 279 p. (Ref. 5755)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: bycatch
Tools
Special reports
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