Dr. Glen Whisson, Aqua Research and Monitoring Services, Australien
Info
Gymnapistes marmoratus is a nearshore species inhabiting seagrass beds with Cauilerpa and Zostera in calm bays and estuaries.
The forehead finfish has well camouflaged, mottled coloration with broad, irregular dark brown or almost black spots or marbled patches on a lighter background, the patches being larger and bolder on the upper side and lighter and more diffuse or blotchy on the lower side.
In larger fish, the spots are less pronounced.
The dorsal fin has a distinct dark spot above the spines of the 4th through 7th fins, the pectoral fin has a dark elongate spot near the base; fins often have vermiculate markings or diffuse spots.
Gymnapistes marmoratus is a predator, usually lying motionless during the day and most active at night.
Smaller individuals feed primarily on shrimp and crabs, while large fish prey on other fish and larger crustaceans.
Although Gymnapistes marmoratuss somewhat resembles the Eastern Spurfin (Centropogon australis), it grows larger, lacks scales (except for lateral line scales), and has a distinct lateral line.
In late winter and early spring, adult soldierfish leave shallow seagrass beds to congregate in huge concentrations in deeper waters, presumably to spawn.
The species grows quite slowly, and large soldierfish live to be much older (more than 10 years) than most other species of the same size.
Because of its venomous spines, the fish poses a danger to barefoot bathers.
The specific name "marmoratus" refers to the marbled pattern (black and white) on the body.
Synonyms:
Apistus marmoratus Cuvier, 1829
Pentaroge marmorata (Cuvier, 1829)
The forehead finfish has well camouflaged, mottled coloration with broad, irregular dark brown or almost black spots or marbled patches on a lighter background, the patches being larger and bolder on the upper side and lighter and more diffuse or blotchy on the lower side.
In larger fish, the spots are less pronounced.
The dorsal fin has a distinct dark spot above the spines of the 4th through 7th fins, the pectoral fin has a dark elongate spot near the base; fins often have vermiculate markings or diffuse spots.
Gymnapistes marmoratus is a predator, usually lying motionless during the day and most active at night.
Smaller individuals feed primarily on shrimp and crabs, while large fish prey on other fish and larger crustaceans.
Although Gymnapistes marmoratuss somewhat resembles the Eastern Spurfin (Centropogon australis), it grows larger, lacks scales (except for lateral line scales), and has a distinct lateral line.
In late winter and early spring, adult soldierfish leave shallow seagrass beds to congregate in huge concentrations in deeper waters, presumably to spawn.
The species grows quite slowly, and large soldierfish live to be much older (more than 10 years) than most other species of the same size.
Because of its venomous spines, the fish poses a danger to barefoot bathers.
The specific name "marmoratus" refers to the marbled pattern (black and white) on the body.
Synonyms:
Apistus marmoratus Cuvier, 1829
Pentaroge marmorata (Cuvier, 1829)
