Family ENOPLOSIDAE

Enoplosus armatus

© Copyright from Waite 1921

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Introduction

The family Enoplosidae comprises a single marine species, commonly known as the Old Wife. These fishes are confined to temperate Australia.

The Old Wife inhabits inshore rocky reefs, frequently among kelp beds at depths between about three and 100 metres, where it feeds on small invertebrates. The compressed, oval body, prominent black and white bars, and spike-like soft dorsal and anal fins are distinctive. The maximum size is about 23 cm.

Steene (1978) and Edgar (2008) provided diagnostic colour images of the Old Wife.

General References

Edgar, G.J. 2008. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Sydney : Reed New Holland 2nd edn, 624 pp.

Gomon, M.F. 2008. Families Enoplosidae and Pentacerotidae. pp. 609-617 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. 2006. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [1310]

Steene, R.C. 1978. Butterfly and Angelfishes of the World. Australia. Sydney : A.H. & A.W. Reed Vol. 1 144 pp. 216 figs.

Waite, E.R. 1921. Illustrated catalogue of the fishes of South Australia. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 2(1): 1-208 293 figs pl. 1 [fig. 178]

Common Name References

Hutchins, J.B. 2001. Enoplosidae. p. 3287 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp. [3287] (Old Wife)

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