Glyptauchen panduratus

Glyptauchen panduratus, the goblinfish, is a species of waspfish endemic to the reefs off the southern coast of Australia at depths from 5 to 60 metres (16 to 197 ft). This species grows to a total length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in). This species is the only known member of its genus.[1]

Glyptauchen panduratus
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Scorpaeniformes
Family:
Tetrarogidae
Genus:
Glyptauchen

Günther, 1860
Species:
G. panduratus
Binomial name
Glyptauchen panduratus
Goblinfish Glyptauchen panduratus (Richardson 1850), from lateral and head from dorsal

Synonyms:

  • Apistes panduratus Richardson, 1850 (original combination)
  • Glyptauchen insidiator Whitley, 1931

Etymology: Glyptauchen: Greek, glyptes = carver + Greek auchen = neck[2]

Description

The fish has an elongated, compressed body with a distinctive rounded to squarish head, with a 'neck', or notch, between the eyes and dorsal fin. A large erectile spine occurs on each side below the eyes which are ringed with red, and are the most visible part of the fish. The fins are well developed, the spinous part of dorsal fin is very long and fairly high, and the pectorals are long and wide and may be spread to the sides like fans. The colouration is cryptic, and is variable from white to grey, reddish-brown, and black. The fish can rapidly adjust its colouration to blend in with the environment.[3] A dark band may be seen across the rear part of the body, with a caudal peduncle and posterior of dorsal and anal fins pale. Whitish patches and small black spots may be scattered on body and fins.[4]

The goblinfish has venomous dorsal spines.[3]

Behaviour

The fish is a bottom dweller, generally nocturnal, and does not move around much during the day, so it is not seen very often by divers.[5]

Habitat and distribution

It is found in sheltered and moderately exposed coastal reef and rocky areas in estuaries between 3 and 60 m deep[5][3] near Rottnest Island, Western Australia, to Sydney, New South Wales, and around Tasmania.[5]

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References
  1. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2012). "Glyptauchen panduratus" in FishBase. December 2012 version.
  2. Romero, P., 2002. An etymological dictionary of taxonomy. Madrid, unpublished. http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?ID=45335
  3. "Goblinfish, Glyptauchen panduratus (Richardson, 1850)". Australian Museum. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  4. Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Goblinfish, Glyptauchen panduratus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 29 Jul 2014, http://portphillipmarinelife.net.au/species/6492
  5. Edgar, Graham J. (2008). Australian Marine Life: The plants and animals of temperate waters (Second ed.). Sydney: New Holland. ISBN 9781921517174.
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