Category: Queensland State Archives’ Photostream About Fortitude Valley

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by Frank Olsen.

Also known as the sailfin snapper, this is a deep-bodied tropical snapper native to the eastern Indian Ocean (off western Australia) and the western Pacific Ocean. It inhabits sandy areas adjacent to reefs in lagoons and on outer reefs.

A carnivore, this species usually feeds on fishes and benthic crustaceans and molluscs. Although usually solitary, small spawning aggregations of mature individuals are seen along seaward reefs.

Its body shows blue undulating stripes over a yellow body, an orange stripe crossing the eye, and another one at the back of the head. It has typically a black spot at its tail. This species can reach a length of 60 cm (24 in).

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6101

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Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by Frank Olsen.

A voracious predator with a long slender compressed body, a tubular snout and a series of short dorsal-fin spines along the back. The colour pattern is highly variable and trumpetfish can rapidly change colour.

These cunning ambush predators rely on stealth and camouflage to sneak up on unsuspecting prey. They often hunt smaller fishes by ‘hitching a ride’ alongside other larger fishes – or even hawksbill sea turtles – or camouflage themselves by drifting head down among large corals.

This species is found in tropical and subtropical waters from the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, but not in the Red Sea. It lives in clear and calm waters in rocky and coral reefs from the surface to 120 m deep.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6215

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Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by George Coates.

Yellowfin tuna are torpedo-shaped with dark metallic blue backs, yellow sides, and a silver belly. They have very long anal and dorsal fins and finlets that are bright yellow. Yellowfin can live up to six or seven years. They are highly migratory and are found throughout the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

They often travel in schools with similarly sized companions, and mixed schools with other tunas like slipjack and bigeye are commonplace. They are also known to associate with dolphins or porpoises, as well as with larger marine animals such as whales and whale-sharks.

Yellowfish tuna prey includes other fish, pelagic crustaceans, and squid. Like all tunas, their body shape is particularly adapted for speed, enabling them to pursue and capture fast-moving baitfish such as flying fish, sauries, and mackerel. Large yellowfins prey on smaller members of the tuna family such as

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Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by George Coates

Also known as Black Rock-cod, Brown-marbled Grouper and Tiger Grouper, this species is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, from eastern coasts of Africa to the oceanic islands of the centre of the Pacific Ocean, Red Sea included. However, it’s absent from the Persian Gulf, Hawaii and French Polynesia.

Like many of the groupers, the Flowery Cod lives in rich clear waters close to coral or rocky reefs, lagoons and external slopes from the surfance until 60 metres depth. An ambush predator, this fish is carnivorous and its diet consists mainly of fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods. It is solitary, sedentary, and defends a well defined territory.

It has quite a long life span for a fish, and can expect to live until at least 40 years old.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6027

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Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by Frank Olsen.

Also known as the Sixbar Angel Fish, this marine angelfish has an easily recognisable yellow body with black vertical stripes (usually six on each side, hence ‘sixbar’), one white vertical stripe on each side of its black head, fluorescent blue spots on the body, fins and tail and fluorescent blue lines on the top and bottom fin and tail.

They are common in South Pacific reefs, most commonly the Great Barrier Reef of Australia’s north-east coast. It can grow to a maximum size of 46 cm in the ocean. This species is omnivorous, eating sponges, corals and algae, and is also known to eat other fishes’ eggs. Often seen in pairs, the six-banded angel fish mates with one partner and they stay together for life.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6216

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Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by George Coates

The Tomato Rockcod is a deep bodied species with a hump-headed appearance. It is red to orange-red or brown, sometimes with brown, red or white spots. It grows to about 58 cm in length.

The species occurs in the Indo-West and Central Pacific regions. It is a benthic species that occurs in coral reef and tropical inshore waters at depths from about 30 m to 100 m.

In Australia it is found in tropical waters from the central coast of Western Australia to southern Queensland. They feed on small fishes and crustaceans including shrimps, crabs and stomatopods.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 5967

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Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by George Coates

There are over 30 species of parrotfish on the Great Barrier Reef, and all share a few common traits. The most obvious of all relates to their teeth. Parrotfish evolved from the carnivorous wrasse family, but through the course of time, their teeth have moved forward on the jawbone and reduced in size. Eventually, the teeth fused together, creating a very useful tool for scratching algae off the surface of the coral.

When parrotfish sleep at night, they often secrete a mucus sleeping bag around themselves to protect themselves from predators. The bags also have antibiotic properties that are beneficial for the fish.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 5966

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Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

A common and widespread grouper in the Indo-Pacific, it is identified by the bright yellow margin on the lunate tail. The species is reddish above, often shading to orangish to white on the belly. There are numerous small bluish or pinkish spots on the head, body and fins.

The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific from close to the surface to over 100 m in depth. In Australia it is known from central and north-western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to the central coast of New South Wales.

George Coates of Townsville was commissioned as an artist by the Department of Harbours and Marine to provide a wide range of illustrations of Queensland fishes during the 1950s to early 1980s.

Mr Tom C Marshall was the Government Ichthyologist at that time and had an active involvement in government publications regarding the idetification

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Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by Frank Olsen

The Coral Cod can be recognised by its pattern of bright blue spots on an orange-red background. These spots are smaller than the size of the pupil, and cover the head, body and median fins. Juvenile Coral Cod are orange to yellow.

This species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from the central Western Australian coast, around the tropical north, and down the east coast to northern New South Wales. It is usually seen in caves and under ledges.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6100

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Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by George Coates.

Enter any seafood restaurant during your stay in Cairns and you are likely to find Coral Trout on the menu. Coral trouts are among the most sought-after reef fishes for their impressive appearance and fine eating qualities.

Their delicate flavour and fine, white flakes appeal to most. Bake, steam, poach or grill, but avoid handling them too much as their delicate flakes can be easily damaged.

Enrich with an abundance of citrus, light butter sauces, parsley and chives. The cheek flesh from coral trouts is very highly regarded and should not be wasted.

Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6082

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