General Description

Body moderately long and compressed with long pectoral fins, a long-based dorsal fin and a forked tail. Overall pinkish above, paler below. Adults are sparsely spotted, with a large black blotch on the sides, pale blue fin margins and a silvery-blue bar behind the eye. Up to 30 cm long head to tail tip.

Biology

Butterfly Perch occur around high profile rocky reefs, outcrops and drop-offs, in depths of 4-100 m. They form large schools and feed on plankton in the water column. Although they rarely enter bays, Butterfly Perch usually occur at shallower depths in the southern parts of their range.

Distribution

New Zealand and Southern Australia.

Habitat

Rocky reefs and drop-offs, to depth of 100 m.

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