Family PATAECIDAE

Pataecidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

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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 The prowfishes and red indian fish have never been revised, but S.G. Poss provided his unpublished conclusions for this work.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.

General References

Gomon, M.F. 1994. Family Pataecidae. pp. 509-512 figs 454-456 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs.

Johnson, J.W. 2008. Family Pataecidae. pp. 504-505 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp. [504]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Pataecidae. pp. 917-918 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. 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. [917]

Scott, T.D., Glover, C.J.M. & Southcott, R.V. 1974. The Marine and Freshwater Fishes of South Australia. Adelaide : Government Printer 392 pp. figs.

Common Name References

Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [509] (Prowfishes)

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