Purple Anthias

Pseudanthias tuka (Herre & Montalban, 1927)

A male Purple Anthias at a depth of 15m, Tijou Reef, far northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, December 1999. View larger image.

The colouration of the Purple Anthias differs between the sexes. Both males and females are deep pink to purple, however females have a bright yellow stripe on the back that extends onto the caudal fin. Males have a purple blotch on the base of the soft dorsal fin and elongated soft dorsal fin rays.

This species grows to 12cm in length.

The Purple Anthias is usually seen in large aggregations along the upper edge of drop-offs and steep outer reef slopes. This fish is usually seen at depths of 7m to 25m.

It occurs in tropical marine waters of South-east Asia, from the Philippines to Australia and east to Fiji and the Society Islands.

In Australia the Purple Anthias is known from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.

source : www.austmus.gov.au

Mirror Basslet

Why is it necessary to collect a specimen?

Comb Wrasse Coris picta. View species fact sheet.

Palespotted Podge Pseudogramma polyacanthum. View larger image.

A female Mirror Basslet collected at the Reef Islands, Solomon Islands, September 1999. Photo © J. Williams. View larger image.

Why collect specimens, why not just visually record the presence of a species? Indeed, why not take a photograph?

For some well known common species of fishes such as the Comb Wrasse, (top image), a photographic record, and even a sight record can be very useful. Problems arise however if the validity of the record is ever questioned. A sight record is worth very little because it cannot be validated. A photograph is useful but often doesn't display important characteristics such as the number of gill rakers or any internal character that may be required to confirm the identification of the specimen.

Another major reason for collecting fish specimens rather than just recording observations, is that many species are never seen. They live in a burrow or deep in the rocks or coral. A good example is the Palespotted Podge, (second image). This is one of the most common fishes collected in Indo-Pacific coral reef fish surveys. It lives deep inside the coral but is never observed alive by divers. Unless intensive collecting techniques are used only a fraction of the true biodiversity is recorded (see Ackerman & Bellwood, 2000 in Further Reading, below).

Dr J. Williams of the Smithsonian Institution stated that:

• on the Navassa Island biodiversity survey (see further reading below), we used visual censusing and underwater video footage, as well as dipnetting, line fishing and rotenone (plant root powder which affects fish) stations.
• Of the five blennioid families (blennies and related fishes) we collected 19 species(and possibly a few more that couldn't be identified in the field), using rotenone. In terms of numbers these were among the most common fishes.
• We searched the same and similar areas visually and could only find two of the 19 species during the visual censuses or on the video tapes. Without collecting the specimens using rotenone, we would have missed 17 of the 19 blennioid species at Navassa, including an undescribed species of Acanthemblemaria (family Chaenopsidae, the pikeblennies, tubeblennies and flagblennies).
• A strict visual census would have missed not only a major chunk of the biodiversity, but much of the biomass as well. These small cryptic fish are the food of the commercially important species.

In his visual census of Vanuatu fishes, D. Williams (1990) recorded 469 species of fishes. These workers recommended that a more complete assessment of the Vanuatu fauna was required using intensive collecting techniques. "Such a study by experienced collectors such as those at the Australian or West Australian Museum is recommended.". The Australian Museum in collaboration with other museums and Vanuatu Fisheries collected fishes in Vanuatu on two trips in 1996 and 1997. These trips verified the comments of Williams. On these trips, fishes from 40 families not recorded in William's visual census were collected. These include many species recorded from Vanuatu for the first time and indeed a number were new species. These data have been supplied to Vanuatu Fisheries who now have a more complete picture of their fish fauna. This information can be used to make conservation and fisheries management decisions.

source : www.austmus.gov.au

Whitespotted Anglerfish

Phyllophryne scortea McCulloch & Waite, 1918

All images: A Whitespotted Anglerfish at a depth of 8 m, Edithburgh jetty, South Australia, February 2004. View larger image.

View larger image.

Head of a Whitespotted Anglerfish. Note the puffy-looking skin on the second and third dorsal fin spines. View larger image.

The Whitespotted Anglerfish is a slightly compressed, deep-bodied fish. It has a dorsal fin that is divided into four parts. The illicium protrudes from on the tip of the snout and is the first spine of the dorsal fin. It is followed by two separate spines that are covered by puffy-looking skin. The posterior surface of the second spine is concave. The fourth part of the dorsal fin comprises 15 to 16 rays.

This species is variable in colour. It can be yellow, orange, brown or black. It sometimes has white patches on the body and a yellowish band from the eye to the mouth. There may be cutaneous appendages (skin flaps) on the body.

It grows to 10 cm in length.

The Whitespotted Anglerfish lives on the sea floor and is usually found on coastal rocky reefs. It is endemic to Australia, occurring from Tasmania to south-western Western Australia.

View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.

This species is also known as the Smooth Anglerfish.

source : www.austmus.gov.au

Undescribed Anglerfish

Undescribed Anglerfish

An undescribed Anglerfish at a depth of 12 m, Bare Island, Sydney, New South Wales, August 2005. Photo © R. Harcourt. View larger image.

An undescribed Anglerfish at a depth of 6 m Indian Point, Botany Bay, Sydney, New South Wales, 2005. Photo © J. Coombs. View larger image.

An undescribed Anglerfish photographed in natural light at South Head, Sydney Harbour, 2005. Photo © N. Todd. View larger image.

An undescribed Anglerfish caught at a depth of 14 m, Bare Island, Sydney, New South Wales, October 2005. Photo © R. Harcourt. View larger image. View large image of head.

This undescribed species of anglerfish has bumpy skin that resembles the sponges among which it is often found. This camouflage is enhanced by the presence of smooth, dark spots on the body of the fish that resemble the pores on the surface of a sponge.

Individuals of this unusual fish grow to at least 7.5 cm in standard length.

The species is currently only known from the Sydney region of New South Wales.

The fish was brought to the attention of the Australian Museum when the upper image, taken by Dr Rob Harcourt was sent for identification. Museum staff could not identify the fish, so forwarded the image to anglerfish expert Dr Ted Pietsch who stated that the fish may be a new genus. Dr Pietsch requested that the fish be collected and sent to him for examination. Dr Harcourt and dive buddies R. Fea and J. Coombs, applied for and were granted a DPI Fisheries permit to collect specimens. After a long search one specimen was collected. Since then, the team have dived many times without managing to find another fish.

Dr Pietsch needs more specimens before he can formally name this new fish. If you see an anglerfish that looks like the fish in the images, please take care to record the locality in detail and contact Mark McGrouther.

This fish has been observed in the following locations:

• Indian Point, Botany Bay - on the reef that extends towards Bare Island from the headland between Little Congwong Beach and Henry's Head. Approximate depth 6 m.
• Bare Island Sponge Gardens, Botany Bay - on the right side of the Island towards the deep wall. Approximate depth 14 m.
• South Head, Sydney Harbour - The site is accessed by walking from Camp Cove to Lady Bay Beach, then snorkeling around the headland. Approximate depth 10 m.

source : www.austmus.gov.au

Tasselled Anglerfish

Rhycherus filamentosus (Castelnau, 1872)

Above and below: A Tasselled Anglerfish swimming close to the bottom, at a depth of 4.5 m, Rye Pier, South Australia, January 2005. Photo © N. Craik. View larger image.

Photo © N. Craik. View larger image.

This photo shows the fish in the top images at rest on the seabed. Photo © N. Craik. View larger image.

The Tasselled Anglerfish is covered with fleshy tentacles. It has a dorsal fin comprising four parts. The first is a long illicium with an esca that resembles two worms. The second and third dorsal spines are separate. These are followed by 12 to 13 rays.

This species is brown to red above. There are dark blotches or bars on the sides separated by whitish areas extending up from below.

The Tasselled Anglerfish grows to 23 cm in length.

It is endemic to Australia, living on kelp covered rocky reefs from Bass Strait to South Australia. View image of a Tasselled Anglerfish washed up on a beach in Spencer Gulf, South Australia.

Females lay about 5 000 eggs in a large mass. Each egg has a long double filament that sticks to growth on the surrounding rocks.

View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.

source : www.austmus.gov.au

Striped Anglerfish

Antennarius striatus (Shaw & Nodder, 1794)

A Striped Anglerfish at Clifton Gardens, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales. Photo © Á. Lumnitzer. View larger image.

Common name

Striped Anglerfish

The common name "anglerfish" is also used for several related families of deepwater fishes known for their angling behaviour.

The use of "anglerfish" on this page refers only to fishes in the family Antennariidae.

Scientific name

Antennarius striatus
antenna - (Latin) a sensory appendage on the head. Refers to the fish's lure.
arius - (Latin) pertaining to
stria - (Latin) line. Refers to the striped colour pattern of this species.

Family name

Three Striped Anglerfishes at a depth of 12 m, Clifton Gardens, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, February 2008. Photo © J. Regan. View larger image.

Antennariidae
antenna - (Latin) a sensory appendage on the head.
idae - a suffix indicating this a family name. All animal family names end in -idae.

Size

The Striped Anglerfish grows to 20 cm in length.

Anglerfishes in general are small. The smallest, growing to 6 cm in length is the Dwarfed Frogfish Antennarius pauciradiatus, while the largest, the Roughhaw Frogfish Antennarius avalonis, grows to about 45 cm in length.

Number of species

Anglerfishes of the family Antennariidae are beautifully adapted predatory fishes. The family has over 40 species in 13 genera. Of these Australia has 23 species in 12 genera.

The genus Antennarius contains 24 species worldwide. The numbers of species in this family will almost certainly increase as research and collecting continues.

Distribution

Antennariids occur in coastal waters around the world. The Striped Anglerfish occurs in most marine tropical and temperate waters, from shallow waters down to over 200 m. View a low resolution movie clip (71k) of a Striped Anglerfish at a depth of 123 m off Vietnam. Go to the movies page for high and low resolution versions.

In Australia, it occurs around the north of the country, from the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia, across the north of the country, and south to Wollongong, New South Wales.

View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.

A Striped Anglerfish beside a sponge at a depth of 10 m, Fly Point, Nelson Bay, New South Wales, April 2003. Photo © D. Harasti. View larger image.

Habitat requirements

Anglerfishes occur in many different habitats including sponge gardens, silty substrates, rocky and coral reefs. They are found from the shallow littoral zone down to the abyssal depths of the oceans.

The Striped Anglerfish is known from estuarine water less than 1 m in depth to marine waters more than 200 m deep.

View an image of the Striped Anglerfish collected at a depth of 6 m on a concrete wall in Sydney Harbour.

A Striped Anglerfish next to an old bottle at a depth of 12 m, Camp Cove, Sydney Harbour, September 2001. Photo © Á. Lumnitzer. View larger image.

Structural, physiological and behavioural adaptations

Anglerfishes include some of the best camouflaged of all fishes. They have extraordinary adaptations including a lure for attracting their prey, a large mouth and "hidden gill openings". Striped Anglerfishes are extremely variable in form and colour, and even fish from the same area can look quite different.

Lure

Anglerfishes attract their prey with a "fishing lure". The lure comprises a stalk - the illicium , Latin for "lure" or "inducement" and a bait - the esca. The "design" of the lure varies among genera.

In most species, the esca looks like potential prey, such as a worm, crustacean, or even a fish. The anglerfish moves the lure, mimicking the animal it is copying.

The esca of the Striped Anglerfish has between two and seven worm-like appendages (view image). When the lure is not being used it is held back against the head, as in the image above. A fish that is trying to attract prey, swings the lure forward in front of the mouth.

Large Mouth

A Striped Anglerfish at the Pipeline, Nelson Bay, New South Wales. Photo © G. McNeil.

The Striped Anglerfish uses deception and camouflage to catch its prey. When a potential prey animal approaches, the Striped Anglerfish stays motionless with the exception of the lure. If the prey moves in to investigate the moving lure, the anglerfish rapidly opens its large mouth and sucks in its prey.

This is one of the fastest known feeding mechanism of any vertebrate animal. The whole process may happen so fast, it is impossible to see without the aid of high speed video. The large mouths and extendable stomachs of anglerfishes means they can eat very large prey.

Camouflage

A Striped Anglerfish at a depth of 10 m, Fly Point, Nelson Bay, New South Wales, April 2003. Photo © D. Harasti. View larger image.

The colouration of the Striped Anglerfish is extremely variable, ranging from red, orange (image) and yellow (images 1, 2), through to green, brown or black (image). As the image on the right shows, some are heavily striped, while other Striped Anglerfish have broken stripes or spots, or lack stripes entirely.

Most anglerfishes have warts, lumps, bumps or whisker-like filaments (image) on the body, further increasing their camouflage. Others are brightly coloured, mimicking the sponges they live among. The Sargassum Anglerfish, lives in seaweed (often Sargassum) rafts drifting in the ocean. The colouration and appendages of this species closely resembles the drifting seaweed. Juvenile Sargassum Anglerfish are sometimes found with their algal raft, floating close to the beaches of Sydney.

"Hidden Gill Openings"

The small, tubular gill openings of the Striped Anglerfish are located behind and below the arm-like pectoral fins. These gill openings contract and expand rhythmically, pumping water in through the mouth and out of the gill openings. This behaviour allows the fish to appear motionless to any prey animal attracted by the movement of the lure.

In some species, this pumping action can be used to "jet-propel" the anglerfish through the water.

The image to the right shows a close up of the pectoral fin and opercular opening of a Striped Anglerfish from the Australian Museum Fish Collection (AMS I.25663-011). The fin has been pulled forward and up to reveal the opercular opening "hidden" behind the lower end of the pectoral fin.

Cryptic behaviour

Anglerfishes often combine camouflage with cryptic (hiding/keeping still) behaviour. This not only prevents potential prey from noticing the anglerfish, but also makes the fish less likely to be seen by predators.

A Striped Anglerfish at a depth of 7 m, Shiprock, Port Hacking, New South Wales, February 2000. Photo © E. Schlögl. View larger image.

Follow-up questions

1. Most shallow-water anglerfishes are classified in the genus Antennarius. Name another genus of anglerfish. View species list.
2. How do anglerfishes move around on the bottom? View movie.
3. Name another type of fish that has a lure for attracting prey. View fact sheet.

source : www.austmus.gov.au

Smooth Anglerfish

Histiophryne bougainvilli (Valenciennes, 1837)

A 7 cm long Smooth Anglerfish found washed up on the beach at Noosa Heads, Queensland, October 2007. Photo © K. Long. View larger image.

Dorsal view showing the pectoral fins. Photo © K. Long. View larger image.

As its standard name implies, the Smooth Anglerfish is very smooth to the touch. Its colour is variable from white to pale orange or black. It can have small to moderate-sized white rimmed spots.

The species can be distinguished by its relatively long (5.4-8.9% SL) illicium. When not raised, the illicium and esca lie within a groove on the snout.

Fishes in the genus Histiophryne are unique among anglerfishes because the second and third dorsal fin spines are visible only as low bumps on the top of the head and nape. These species are also unusual because the dorsal and anal fins extend posteriorly beyond the base of the caudal fin.

The Smooth Anglerfish grows to about 9 cm in length.

It is a benthic species that has been found in inshore waters, rocky reefs and coral reefs.

In Australia the species occurs in temperate waters from southern Queensland to the central coast of Western Australia.

Two species of Histiophryne are known from Australian waters. The second is the Rodless Anglerfish, H. cryptacanthus. As its name suggests, this species has a short illicium (never greater than 4% of SL). The species occurs in South Australia and Western Australia.

source : www.austmus.gov.au