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Reef Ocean Perch
Helicolenus percoides (Richardson, 1842)
A Reef Ocean Perch caught by K. Graham on FRV Kapala (K 85-06-03) at a depth around 135 m, east of Nowra, New South Wales, May 1985. Photo: K. Graham © NSW DPI. View larger image.
The Reef Ocean Perch can be recognised by its notched dorsal fin, large pectoral fins and its colouration. The body is usually orangish to white with two branched bands laterally and small dark spots on the head.
All species in the genus Helicolenus have a low spineless ridge (the suborbital stay) running horizontally below the eye.
The Reef Ocean Perch grows to 30 cm in length.
This species is occurs in Australia and New Zealand,
In Australia it is found in depths between 80 m and 350 m, from central coast of New South Wales to southern Western Australia.
It is an important commercial species in southern marine waters of Australia.
The Reef Ocean Perch looks similar to the deeper-dwelling Bigeye Ocean Perch.
Related links
- Bigeye Ocean Perch fact sheet
- View the Family Sebastidae list
- View the Scorpionfishes list
Further Reading
- Poss, S.G. in Gomon, M.F, C.J.M. Glover & 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. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & R.D. Ward. 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook, an identification guide to domestic species. CSIRO Marine Research. Pp. 461.
