Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Pataecidae

Pataecidae

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CAAB: 37292000

Family PATAECIDAE

Prowfishes


Compiler and date details

29 March 2015 - Dianne J. Bray, J. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates & Douglass F. Hoese

J. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates & Douglass F. Hoese

Introduction

The family Pataecidae comprises three species currently placed in three genera. All pataecids are endemic to Australia, where they live in temperate, shallow, marine waters. The species are described briefly by Scott et al. (1974) and in more detail by Gomon (1994) and Johnson (2008). The prowfishes and red indian fish have never been revised, but S.G. Poss provided his unpublished conclusions for this work.

Unlike other Australian scorpaeniform fishes, pataecids lack pelvic fins. They have a long, continuous dorsal fin that originates before the level of the eyes, and skin that lacks scales. Maximum length attained is 30 cm.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
06-May-2015 SCORPAENIFORMES 20-Dec-2011 MODIFIED Dr Dianne Bray (NMV) Dr Doug Hoese (AM) Dr Matthew Lockett (AM)
12-Feb-2010 (import)