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Long-snout Gurnard Perch
Neosebastes longirostris Motomura, 2004
- Family
- Neosebastidae
- Size
- 22 cm
- Distribution
- Endemic to northern Western Australia
- Depth
- 170 m - 250 m
The 161 mm SL holotype of N. longirostris (CSIRO H.5198-03), caught at a depth of 250 m, north of Monte Bello Islands, Western Australia, October 1998. Photo © CSIRO Marine Research. View larger image.
The Long-snout Gurnard Perch has a relatively elongate body and snout. The body is grayish, mottled with poorly defined reddish blotches. The pectoral fin and spinous portion of the dorsal fin are blackish.
This species can be distinguished from other members of Neosebastes by having the following combination of characters: 57-63 scales in longitudinal series; underside of mandible with numerous tiny pores; tip of lower opercular spine extending beyond opercular margin; preocular spine simple (not branched) on each side of head; supraocular spines present only posterior to vertical through midline of eye; interorbital space entirely covered with scales. The interorbital space of this species becomes shallower with growth. This change is unique among the species of Neosebastes.
The Long-snout Gurnard Perch is a rare species. It is known from only 13 specimens.
Related links
- Bighead Gurnard Perch fact sheet
- Blackspotted Gurnard Perch fact sheet
- Gulf Gurnard Perch fact sheet
- Incised Gurnard Perch fact sheet
- Johnson's Gurnard Perch fact sheet
- Orangebanded Gurnard Perch fact sheet
- View the Scorpionfishes list
- View the Scorpionfishes of Australia list
Further reading
- Motomura, H. 2004. Revision of the scorpionfish genus Neosebastes (Scorpaeniformes: Neosebastidae), with descriptions of five new species. Indo-Pacific Fishes. 37: 1-76, pl. 1-2.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2006
Page researched and compiled by
H. Motomura and M. McGrouther, October 2005.
