Morwong ephippium

Painted morwong | Cheilodactylus ephippium
Morwong ephippium
Morwong ephippium, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Morwong ephippium
Morwong ephippium, adult, Lord Howe Island, NSW, Photo: Ian Shaw
Morwong ephippium
Morwong ephippium, juvenile, Lord Howe Is, NSW, Photo: Ian Shaw
Morwong ephippium
Morwong ephippium, Lord Howe Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Morwong ephippium
Morwong ephippium, Photo: Graham Edgar
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Morwong ephippium
Morwong ephippium
Morwong ephippium
Morwong ephippium
Morwong ephippium

Same Genus

Distribution

Temperate Australasia


Description

Variable shades of brown with scattered orange spots, three light blotches below dorsal fin and light oblique bands on the front of the body. The pattern of bands and spots is unmistakeable.


Information

Max Size: N/A cm

Sea Temperature Range: 18-24.9°C

Depth: 0-250 m

Habitat Generalization Index: 15.31

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 (7.9% 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 (3 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