General Description
Body very compressed, roughly circular in females and juveniles, oval in males; ventral flap small; tail base shallow without spines; dorsal spine above eye with small barbs; abdomen not inflatable. Adults usually blue to brown-grey with yellow spots and patches on side. Young fish yellow or pale grey, with horizontal blue lines or brown blotches on the side. To 60 cm.
Biology
These leatherjackets are reasonably common on deeper offshore reefs and trawling grounds, also in harbours and bays. Juveniles are frequently around piers and jetties, or under jellyfish.
Distribution
Southern Australia.
Habitat
Inshore and offshore reefs, in depths of 6-150 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Thin circular to oval-shaped body, dorsal spine with small barbs, blue to brown-grey with yellow spots and patches on sides.
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Maximum Size
60 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Carnivore
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Hazards
Large dorsal spine could punture skin.
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Endemicity
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Commercial
Yes
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Conservation Statuses
DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shallow (1-30 m), Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Ramsay & Ogilby, 1886)
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Common Name
Mosaic Leatherjacket
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Superclass
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
mosaicus