Introduction

The Glaucosomatidae comprise a single genus and four species found in the east Indian and west Pacific Oceans. All four species occur in Australian waters.

The pearl perches or epaulette fishes and Western Australian dhufish (jewfish) were reviewed recently by McKay (1997, 2001), who treated all species. Gloerfelt-Tarp & Kailola (1984) figured two of the Australian species.

Pearl perches are benthic on continental shelves around reefs, where they are caught by hook and line. Crustaceans and fishes are important food items. The species are commercially important in Australia. They are typical perch-like fishes, with large mouths and a dorsal fin with long rays and no notch. Maximum size is about 1 m.

We thank T. Arai for his help and comments on our draft account.

General References

Gloerfelt-Tarp, T. & Kailola, P.J. 1984. Trawled Fishes of Southern Indonesia and Northwest Australia. Jakarta : Dir. Gen. Fish. (Indonesia), German Tech. Coop., Aust. Dev. Ass. Bur. 406 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. [1138]

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp.

McKay, R.J. 2001. Family Glaucosomatidae. pp. 3205-3209 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.

Common Name References

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp. (FAO) (Pearl Perches)

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [529] (Epaulette Fishes)

History of changes

• Glaucosoma Temminck, C.J. & Schlegel, H. 1843. Pisces. 21-72 pls 7A-36 in Siebold, P. Fr de (ed.). Fauna Japonica. Leyden : Apud Arnz & Socios Vol. 4(2–4). [for date of publication Bauchot, M.-L., Whitehead, P.J.P. & Monod, Th. 1982. Date of publication and authorship of the fish names in Eydoux & Souleyet's zoology of la Bonite, 1841–1852. Cybium 6(3): 59–73 [67]] [62] [no included species].

  Type species:

   Glaucosoma buergeri Richardson, 1845 by subsequent designation, see Jordan, D.S. 1919. The genera of fishes. Part 2. Stanford University Publications, University Series 36: 153-284 [216].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

East-Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls.

Liu, S.-H., Yeh, W.-B. & Mok, H.-K. 2010. Phylogeny of Glaucosomatidae inferred from molecular evidence. Journal of Fish Biology 76: 348-356

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp.

McKay, R.J. 2001. Family Glaucosomatidae. pp. 3205-3209 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.

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls.

Common Name References

Haling, G., Kennedy, T., Last, P. & Palmer, R. 1988. Recommended Marketing Names for Fish. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service 238 pp. [123] (Australian Marketing Name) (Pearl Perch)

History of changes

• Glaucosoma buergeri Richardson, J. 1845. Ichthyology. 17-52 pls 7-8 (parts), 11-30 in Richardson, J. & Gray, J.E. (eds). The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror under the Command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross, R.N., F.R.S., during the years 1839–43. London : E.W. Janson Vol. 2 139 pp. pls 1-60. [for publication date see Hureau, J.C. & Monod, Th. (eds) 1973. Checklist of the Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and of the Mediterranean. CLOFNAM 1. Paris : UNESCO 331 pp. [127]] [27] [based on drawing and description of Glaucosoma sp. in Temminck, C.J. & Schlegel, H. 1845. Pisces. pp. 113–132 pls 60 (in part), 61–71 in Siebold, P.Fr de (ed). Fauna Japonica. Leyden : Apud Arnz & Socios Vol. 4(7) ., p. 127; as Glaucosoma bürgeri].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, south-west Japan.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Off Shark Bay (25º21´S), WA to Arafura Sea (10º06´S, 135º55´E), NT; tropical, east-Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, coral reef, marine.

Extra Ecological Information

To 150 m.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [98]

Gloerfelt-Tarp, T. & Kailola, P.J. 1984. Trawled Fishes of Southern Indonesia and Northwest Australia. Jakarta : Dir. Gen. Fish. (Indonesia), German Tech. Coop., Aust. Dev. Ass. Bur. 406 pp.

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp. [9]

McKay, R.J. 2001. Family Glaucosomatidae. pp. 3205-3209 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. [3207]

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [138]

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Ward, R.D. (eds) 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook. Hobart : CSIRO Marine Research 460 pp. [199]

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [98] (Deepsea Jewfish)

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp. [12] (FAO) (Grey Bigmouth Bream)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Northern Pearl Perch)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Ward, R.D. (eds) 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook. Hobart : CSIRO Marine Research 460 pp. [199] (Northern Pearl Perch, Northern Dhufish)

History of changes

• Glaucosoma hebraicum Richardson, J. 1845. Ichthyology. 17-52 pls 7-8 (parts), 11-30 in Richardson, J. & Gray, J.E. (eds). The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror under the Command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross, R.N., F.R.S., during the years 1839–43. London : E.W. Janson Vol. 2 139 pp. pls 1-60. [for publication date see Hureau, J.C. & Monod, Th. (eds) 1973. Checklist of the Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and of the Mediterranean. CLOFNAM 1. Paris : UNESCO 331 pp. [127]] [27, pl. 17].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH, Houtman Abrolhos, WA.
• Breviperca lineata Castelnau, F.L. de 1875. Researches on the fishes of Australia. Intercolonial Exhibition Essays. 2. pp. 1–52 in, Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876 : Official Record. Melbourne. [6].

  Type data:

   Holotype whereabouts unknown, Swan River, WA.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp. [12]

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Off Nornalup (35ºS) to Beagle Island (21º12, 115º38'E)´S), WA, possibly further north; tropical, temperate.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, coral reef, marine, rock reef.

Extra Ecological Information

To 200 m.

General References

Coleman, N. 1980. Australian Sea Fishes South of 30ºS. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 309 pp. [132]

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp. [269]

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. [52]

Kailola, P.J., Williams, M.J., Stewart, P.C., Reichelt, R.E., McNee, A. & Grieve, C. 1993. Australian Fisheries Resources. Canberra : Bureau of Resource Sciences and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation 422 pp. [269]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [198]

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp. [12]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [44] (1080)

Common Name References

Coleman, N. 1980. Australian Sea Fishes South of 30ºS. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 309 pp. [132] (West Australian Pearl Perch)

Haling, G., Kennedy, T., Last, P. & Palmer, R. 1988. Recommended Marketing Names for Fish. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service 238 pp. [39] (Australian Marketing Name) (West Australian Dhufish)

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. [129] (Dhufish, West Australian Jewfish)

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp. [12] (FAO) (Western Jewfish)

Prokop, F. 2002. Australian Fish Guide. Croydon South, Victoria : Australian Fishing Network 256 pp. [164] (Dhuie, Jewie)

Roughley, T.C. 1957. Fish and Fisheries of Australia. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 341 pp. [61] (Westralian Jewfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (West Australian Dhufish)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Ward, R.D. (eds) 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook. Hobart : CSIRO Marine Research 460 pp. [200] (West Australian Dhufish, Dhufish, Jewfish, WA Pearl Perch)

History of changes

• Reganichthys magnificus Ogilby, J.D. 1915. On some new or little-known Australian fishes. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 3: 117-129 figs 29-30 [123, pl. 30].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM I.1803, Thursday Island, Torres Strait.

Generic Combinations

• Glaucosoma magnificum (Ogilby, 1915). —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [198]

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Off Exmouth Gulf, WA (22º05´S) to off Cape York, QLD (11º37´S); tropical.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, coral reef, marine.

Extra Ecological Information

8-30 m.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [98]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [62]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [198]

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp. [16]

McKay, R.J. 2001. Family Glaucosomatidae. pp. 3205-3209 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. [3208]

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [138]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [44] (1081)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Ward, R.D. (eds) 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook. Hobart : CSIRO Marine Research 460 pp. [199]

Common Name References

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp. [[16], FAO] (Threadfin Pearl Perch)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [138] (Threadfin Pearl-perch)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Threadfin Pearl Perch)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Ward, R.D. (eds) 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook. Hobart : CSIRO Marine Research 460 pp. [199] (Threadfin Pearl Perch)

History of changes

• Glaucosoma scapulare Macleay, W.J. 1881. Descriptive catalogue of the fishes of Australia. Part 1. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 5(3): 302-444 [334, pl. 13].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM A.8510, Port Jackson, NSW.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Rockhampton, QLD (23º20´S) to Port Jackson, NSW (33º53´S); tropical.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, marine, rock reef.

Extra Ecological Information

To 90 m.

General References

Coleman, N. 1980. Australian Sea Fishes South of 30ºS. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 309 pp. [133]

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp. [269]

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. [52]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [198]

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp. [18]

McKay, R.J. 2001. Family Glaucosomatidae. pp. 3205-3209 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. [3209]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [44] (1079)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Ward, R.D. (eds) 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook. Hobart : CSIRO Marine Research 460 pp. [199]

Common Name References

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [261] (Bull-eye, Epaulette-fish, Nannygai)

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. [129] (Pearl Perch)

McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Pearl Perches of the World (Family Glaucosomatidae. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 17. 1-26 pp. [18] (FAO) (Pearl Perch)

Prokop, F. 2002. Australian Fish Guide. Croydon South, Victoria : Australian Fishing Network 256 pp. [184] (Pearly)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Pearl Perch)

History of changes