Heteroscarus acroptilus

Odacidae
Rainbow Cale
  • Heteroscarus acroptilus, Male, Ulladulla, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
    Heteroscarus acroptilus, Male, Ulladulla, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Heteroscarus acroptilus, Juvenile, Flinders Island, TAS, Photo: Andrew Green
    Heteroscarus acroptilus, Juvenile, Flinders Island, TAS, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Heteroscarus acroptilus, Male, Ulladulla, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
    Heteroscarus acroptilus, Male, Ulladulla, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Heteroscarus acroptilus, Male, Kangaroo Island, SA, Photo: Antonia Cooper
    Heteroscarus acroptilus, Male, Kangaroo Island, SA, Photo: Antonia Cooper
  • Heteroscarus acroptilus, Male, Montague Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
    Heteroscarus acroptilus, Male, Montague Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Males are brightly coloured with two long dorsal spines, while females have a dull appearance to blend in among seagrasses and macroalgae. Both sexes have teeth fused into a beak in a similar way to the parrot fishes. The species is common in seagrass beds and on reefs but generally remain hidden among plants, and are therefore difficult to observe.
Information
  • Max Size: 29 cm
  • Sea Temperature Range: 12.5-23.3°C
  • Depth: 2-20m
  • Habitat: Rocky Reef, Seagrass
Rarity
  • IUCN Threat Status: Least Concern
  • Occurrence: Common (36% 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
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