Eubalichthys bucephalus

Black reef-leatherjacket
Eubalichthys bucephalus
Eubalichthys bucephalus, Batemans Bay, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Eubalichthys bucephalus
Eubalichthys bucephalus, Montague Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Eubalichthys bucephalus
Eubalichthys bucephalus, Montague Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
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Eubalichthys bucephalus
Eubalichthys bucephalus
Eubalichthys bucephalus

Distribution

Temperate Australasia


Description

Distinctive white eye that contrasts noticeably with the dark body. The species is moderately common on coastal reefs in New South Wales, where cohabiting pairs are sometimes found associated with particular caves. Black reef leatherjackets are restricted to deep water around the southern and southwestern coasts.


Information

Max Size: 50 cm

Sea Temperature Range: 15.3-23.2°C

Depth: 4-250m

Habitat Generalization Index: 7.02

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: Common (29.6% 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: Few (2 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