General Description
Body compressed, wedge-shaped, tapering from large head to tail; dorsal fin long-based, extending from forehead to tail and attached to caudal fin; pelvic fins absent; scales absent, skin of adults covered in wart-like bumps Colour extremely variable, yellow, greyish, olive-brown, orange or red, with darker blotches and spots. Usually 18 cm long head to tail (up to 22 cm).
Biology
These curious scorpionfish relatives are usually found on rocky reefs near the sponges they resemble. When threatened they release a cloud of noxious liquid to ward off predators. Prowfish are sedentary and regularly shed their skin to prevent the build-up of fouling organisms such as algae and encrusting invertebrates.
Distribution
Southern Australia.
Habitat
Coastal rocky reefs and hard bottom areas within estuaries.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Body robust, compressed, wedge-shaped, dorsal fin long-based, attached to caudal fin, skin covered in warty bumps.
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Habitats
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Diet
Carnivore
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
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
(Günther, 1861)
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Common Name
Warty Prowfish
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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
maculatus