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Bovichtus variegatus Richardson, 1846 Thornfish |
| Family: | Bovichtidae (Thornfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 25 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 40 m | |||
| Distribution: | Southwest Pacific: New Zealand. Due to a type-locality error, Bovichtus variegatus was wrongly applied to Australian specimens (Ref. 9002). | |||
| Diagnosis: | ||||
| Biology: | Adults are commonly found in rockpools living within deep crevices and holes or under overhangs. They are rarely seen because of their nocturnal habits and camouflaged colour pattern. In some areas, small groups of thronfishes may be seen resting vertically or even upside down on rock faces. Diet consists exclusively of crabs and prawns. Juveniles are pelagic and distinguished by a silvery color pattern with vertical metallic and reddish brown bands (Ref. 9003). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
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