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The Harlequin Fish has a relatively slender elongate body. Its background colour can
be red, orange, yellow, or brown. It has bright blue spots on the head and upper
sides. There is a large red blotch on the side covered by the pectoral fin.
This species looks similar to the tropical Coral Trouts, but the large yellow to greenish
spots on the lower sides separate them. Not sighted in Port Phillip Bay for over 100
years, as it is believed to dislike turbid (muddy or stirred-up) waters. (Fish Counters - have your cameras ready!) It grows to at
least 76 cm in length.
Range: Victor Harbor S.A, to WA. Jurien Bay.
No Harlequin Fish were seen during the 2005 GVFC.
Image © David Muirhead
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Map interpretation: This maps show the average abundance of this species, as observed by participants in the Great Victorian Fish Count. Each dot represents a site that has been monitered by Reef Watch, and the colour of the dot shows the average abundance, as detailed in the legend. Tentative sightings occur when the Reef Watcher is not 100% confident of the identification, or where the sighting is outside the previously known distribution of the species. It would be great to confirm these sightings with a photograph or further observations.
References:
- Edgar, Graham. J. 1997. Australian Marine Life - the plants and animals of temperate waters (revised edition). New Holland : Sydney .
- Gomon, Martin. F, Glover, J. C. M., & Kuiter, R. H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia 's South Coast . State Print: Adelaide .
- Hutchins, Barry, & Swainston, Roger. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia - Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing and Gary Allen: Smithfield .
- Kuiter, Rudie. H. 1993. The Complete Divers' & Fishermen's Guide to Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia . Crawford House Press: Bathurst .
- Kuiter, Rudie. H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia - A comprehensive reference for divers & fishermen. New Holland : Sydney .
