Aetapcus maculatus

Warty prowfish
Aetapcus maculatus
Aetapcus maculatus, Melbourne, VIC, Photo: Antonia Cooper
Aetapcus maculatus
Aetapcus maculatus, Adelaide, SA, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Aetapcus maculatus
Aetapcus maculatus, Melbourne, VIC, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Aetapcus maculatus
Aetapcus maculatus, Orford, TAS, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
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Aetapcus maculatus
Aetapcus maculatus
Aetapcus maculatus
Aetapcus maculatus

Similar Species

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 Generalization Index: N/A

Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Infrequent (7.7% 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