Callanthias australis Ogilby, 1899
Magnificent splendid perch
Callanthias australis
photo by FAO

Family:  Callanthiidae (Splendid perches)
Max. size:  49 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 15 - 365 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: off New Zealand and temperate waters off Australia; also known from one collection made northeast of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, and from one collection in the Chesterfield Island region of the Coral Sea; may reach Indonesian waters. Closely related to Callanthias japonicus from Japanese waters and from Callanthias platei from the southeast Pacific; all three taxa may be subspecies of a single wide-ranging species.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-11; Vertebrae: 24-24. Continuous dorsal fin, typically 11 dorsal- and anal-fin rays, and an emarginate caudal fin with elongate outer rays (Ref. 33616).
Biology:  A schooling species which seeks the cover of caves and crevices at night and when disturbed. Often found on rocky reefs in coastal waters (Ref. 33616). Presumably feed on plankton.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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