Find a Fish
Snakeskin Wrasse
Eupetrichthys angustipes Ramsay & Ogilby, 1888
A Snakeskin Wrasse at a depth of 6 m, Bare Island, Botany Bay, New South Wales, October 2007. Photo © R. Ling. View larger image.
A Snakeskin Wrasse at a depth of 10 m, Gordon’s Bay, Sydney, New South Wales, March 2003. Photo © E. Schlögl. View larger image.
The Snakeskin Wrasse can be recognised by its elongate body and colour pattern. It has broad bands on the side of the body and spots on the head.
The species grows to 20 cm in length.
It is commonly observed swimming slightly above the seabed, with its head pointing upwards.
The Snakeskin Wrasse is most commonly seen over sandy substrates near weedy or rocky areas down to depths of around 40 m.
It is endemic to Australia, occurring in temperate marine waters from northern New South Wales to south-western Western Australia.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Related links
- View the Family Labridae list
- View the Wrasses list
Further reading
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life; the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544
- Gomon, M.F. & B.C. Russell in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
