| Helicolenus percoides | |
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Scorpaenidae |
| Genus: | Helicolenus |
| Species: | H. percoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Helicolenus percoides (J. Richardson &Solander, 1842) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Helicolenus percoides, thereef ocean perch,coral cod,coral perch,Jock Stewart,kuriarki,ocean perch,red gurnard perch,red gurnard scorpionfish,red ocean perch,red perch,red rock perch,scarpee orsea perch, is a species of marineray-finned fish belonging to thesubfamilySebastinae, part of thefamilyScorpaenidae. It is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
Helicolenus percoides was first formallydescribed asSebastes percoides in 1842 by the Scottishnaval surgeon,naturalist andArctic explorerJohn Richardson based on a brief description byDaniel Solander and an unfinished drawing made bySydney Parkinson.[2] Thetype localities was given as offCape Kidnappers and at Motuaro,Queen Charlotte Sound in New Zealand.[3] This andH. barathri are very similar and have been considered to be the same species by some authorities.[4] The specific name percoides means "perch-like".[5]
Helicolenus percoides has a moderately large, smooth head which has a length which is 35-41% of its standard length, with moderately large eyes which do not bulge over the dorsal profile; of the head.there are 5 distinct spines on the front margin of each of the preopercles, uppermost is quite small and is located at the end of a low, spineless ridge underneath the eye. The body and much of the head are covered in rather smallctenoid scales. Thepelvic fins reach beyond anus.[6] Thedorsal fin has 12 spines and 11-12 soft rays while theanal fin has 3 spines and 5 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 47 cm (19 in) and a maximum published weight of 1.4 kg (3.1 lb).[1] The overall colour is pinkish-orange to whitish marked with three broad orange to dark brown bands on the flanks which continue onto the dorsal and anal fins. The two anterior most bands are normally split on the upper flanks, and there is frequently a single wide band on the caudal andpectoral fins. Fishes from shallow waters are typically darker and often have dense speckling with dark spots on the dorsal part of the head and flanks.[6]
Helicolenus percoides is distinguished fromH. barathri by that species larger eyes which have a diameter equal to 34-41% of the length of the head and that there are normally 13-14 soft rays in the dorsal fin, whereas the eye diameter of this species is equal to 27-33% of the length of the head and it normally has 11-12 soft fin rays in its dorsal fin.[6]
Helicolenus percoides is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. In Australia it occurs from northernNew South Wales south toTasmania and east toFremantle in Western Australia. It is also found in New Zealand.[6] It is ademersal fish which is found at depths of 50 to 750 m (160 to 2,460 ft) on the continental shelf and slope.[1] it can be found ion coastal rocky reefs as well as open sandy areas normally in deeper waters.[6]
In the month-long NORFANZ Expedition of 2003 which was examining thebiodiversity of theseamounts and slopes of theNorfolk Ridge, thirty specimens averaging 1 kg (2.2 lb), were collected from three locations.[7]
Helicolenus percoides is a predatory fish which feeds on fishes, squids and crustaceans. They areovoviviparous, the females do not lay eggs but are fertilised internally and release small larvae into the water.[6] Extruding them in gelatinous masses at 1mm in length.[8] The spines on the dorsal fin and the head are venomous.[1] They live for around 42 years.[6]
Helicolenus percoides is an important species forcommercial fisheries with white meat that is mild tasting.[6] The catch is managed jointly with that ofH. barathri with a combined catch limit in Australian waters of 304 tonnes in 2021/22.[8]
Non-endemic fish of New Zealand | ||
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| Non-endemic marine fish in NZ |
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