Gold-spot Wrasse, colour. Bodianus perditio (Quoy & Gaimard)

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by Frank Olsen.

Also known as Goldspot Hogfish or Orange Threadfin Tuskfish, this species can be recognised by its colouration. It is orangy-red with orange spots on the head and the front half of the body. Much of the dorsal fin is black. There is a yellow spot or bar (hence the standard name) on the back followed by a large black mark on the base of the soft dorsal fin and upper body.

It has an antitropical distribution in the Indo-West to Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from southern Queensland to Sydney, New South Wales and from Lord Howe Island.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6174

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Red Tusk Fish, colour.

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by Frank Olsen.

Tusk fish are members of the Wrasse family. They are named for their tusk-like canine teeth in the front of their jaws.

The Venus Tusk Fish is the largest of the group. It is extremely variable in colour, the basic tone ranging from green through pale blue to pink and brick red. The most permanent colour seems to be the large bright blue spots well distributed over the head and body.

It is a very good table fish, the flesh being firm, white, flaky and of very good flavour.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6173

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Red Dragonet, colour.

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by Frank Olsen.

The red dragonet is a species of dragonet native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean where it occurs at depths of from 70 to 600 metres. This diminutive, bright scarlet and yellow fish is found amongst areas of broken coral rubble that is interspresed with outcrops of soft and stony corals.

Like its close relative, the Scooter Blenny, this species has an interesting method of locomotion, using oversized ventral fins to ‘scoot’ along the substrate and habitually perch as it feeds on microfauna.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6110

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Bar-faced Weever, colour. Parapercis nebulosus (Quoy & Gaimard)

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by Frank Olsen.

Also known as Pinkbanded Grubfish or Red-barred Sandpearch, this species has an elongate body with a long-based second dorsal fin. It has a pointed snout and eyes positioned high on the head. It is usually pale pink with brown to red blotches and bands. Adults have light blue lines between the eyes and crossing the snout.

The species in endemic to Australia. It is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and down the east coast to at least Sydney, New South Wales. Sandpearches are found singly or in small groups close to hiding places on open sand and rubble areas of shallow bays and feed on small crustaceans.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6246

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