Aetapcus maculatus, Melbourne, VIC, Photo: Antonia Cooper
Aetapcus maculatus, Adelaide, SA, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Aetapcus maculatus, Melbourne, VIC, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Aetapcus maculatus, Orford, TAS, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Variable in colour and markings, but often yellow-brown or gold. Typical shape and its flabby skin covered by wart-like lumps. The skin is shed in a single piece at regular intervals, an important process for a fish that remains immobile for most of its life, as it prevents the build-up of fouling organisms. It is difficult to detect in its natural habitat because it closely resembles the sponges among which it lives.
Information
Max Size: 21 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 11.6-22.1°C
Depth: 3-30m
Habitat: Rocky Reef
Rarity
IUCN Threat Status: Not Evaluated
Occurrence: Infrequent (8% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution.
It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Solitary (1 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney
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