General Description

Head and body robust with prominent spines on head, cheeks and gill covers. Pale brown or grey with darker patches and mottling above, white below. To 12 cm.

Biology

A nocturnal species, often buried in sand during the day and only occasionally seen by divers. It is common off Portsea and similar areas in Victoria, and taken as bycatch in commercial trawls. The venomous fin spines can inflict a painful sting.

Distribution

Southern Australia.

Habitat

Shallow sandy and shelly bottoms, often near seagrass beds in bays and along the coast, in depths of 2-46 m.

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